Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Imported Datepalm Fruits in United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The occurrence of pesticide residues in representative samples collected from imported dates palm fruits during 2020 to United Arab Emirates (UAE) was investigated to ensure compliance with the standard specifications and requirements by the regulatory and supervisory authorities, maintain the health and safety of consumers and improve food safety. An accurate, rapid, and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of pesticide multi-residues in 230 samples imported dates by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI (+)-MS/MS) operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode and modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) method was used. The performance of the analytical method was validated in accordance with EU SANCO guidelines (SANTE/12682/2019) for monitoring pesticide multi-residues to check compliance with existing regulations, especially for European Community. Residues level of 343 compounds were determined in 230 samples. Results indicated that the percentage of samples with residues above the maximum residue levels (MRL) was 4.34% in dates samples, whereas samples with residues within MRL were 7.39% in dates samples. A total of 230 samples of 88.26% were free from detectable residues. Out of the 343 pesticides tested, 11 pesticides were found above the limit of detection, according to UAE, Codex, and European regulations. The main purpose of this work is to inform citizens and traders who have concerns about food safety on the capability of the MOCCAE on quality assurance regarding pesticide residue in imported food.