Pesticides are commonly found at detectable levels in all kinds of foods. The official report finds that in a small proportion of samples, levels exceed guideline values.
Evidence from:
Annual Report of the PESTICIDE RESIDUES COMMITTEE 2005
Directive 91/414/EEC governs the authorisation of pesticide products.
Levels above the MRL were typically in excess by two or three times. Very little of this could be attributed to contamination during handling, the main reason for excessive contamination was not following the appropriate guidelines during the growing phase.
Commercial liabilities would be affected.
Further detail: