The risks associated with residues of simultaneous exposure of plant protection products in food are still unclear

It is not yet possible to make a statement on the safety of simultaneous exposure to all substances of plant protection products by food, for which it is necessary to first determine which substances the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is currently working on this classification, which requires an analysis of available data on the adverse effects of all substances in plant protection products, according to the RIVM. assessment of simultaneous exposure to plant protection product residues in the Netherlands

People are receiving residues of different plant protection products via food RIVM has added exposure to different substances having an effect on the same organ. EFSA has developed a new method in evaluation v crop protection products, so far the risks to people and the environment are considered by substance. This method is currently only possible for effects on the thyroid and the nervous system

The thyroid gland and the nervous system
Exposure calculations involve uncertainties, which may result in exposure higher and lower than the number presented. . For the thyroid gland, the margin between the calculated quantity we receive and the quantity considered safe is so great that even in the worst case the limit value will not be exceeded. For the nervous system, the calculated quantity that we receive and the amount considered safe are close to each other. Therefore, based on these calculations, the RIVM can not exclude that there may be harmful effects on the nervous system. The legal limit that indicates the maximum amount of a substance that can be included in food has recently been reduced for any of the substances studied. By lowering this limit, exposure to this substance, and therefore exposure to the entire group of substances that can affect the nervous system, is now probably less.

Other organs
It is not yet possible to general statement on the safety of simultaneous exposure to all substances from plant protection products via food. To do this, one must first determine which substances may have effects on organs other than the thyroid gland and the nervous system. EFSA is currently working on mapping so that clarity can be realized in the future.

For more information, see the report Cumulative exposure to plant protection residues or plant protection products in the Netherlands and the appendix plant protection product residues on strawberries at the RIVM site

] Source: RIVM, 06/07/18

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