New data on the presence of pesticide residues in food in Ireland shows 96% of samples analysed were residue free or had residue traces within legally permitted levels.
However, 4% of samples contained residues exceeding permitted levels.
The figures were published today as part of a European Food Safety Authority report on pesticide residue in foods derived from plants and animals within the EU.
1,716 samples were taken in Ireland at retail outlets, storage facilities, slaughterhouses, ports and airports by officials from the Department of Agriculture and analysed at a food chemistry lab here as well as a facility in Germany
55% of samples taken were found to be free of pesticide residue and 40% had pesticide residues within legally permitted levels, while 4% (72 samples) had levels exceeding permitted levels.
The European Food Safety Authority says the results from the monitoring programmes, which are based on 110,000 samples are a valuable source of information for estimating dietary exposure of EU consumers to pesticide residues.
98% of samples were found to be residue free or with traces within permitted levels and 1.6% exceeded permitted levels.
Based on its assessment of the results, the EFSA concludes that there is a low risk to consumer health from the estimated exposure to pesticide residues in the foods tested.
