Four-year monitoring of pesticide residues in Egyptian sweet peppers.

Abstract

This study monitored pesticide residues in 1826 sweet pepper samples from Egyptian markets (2021-2024), screening for 430 pesticides using QuEChERS extraction with LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. Results revealed concerning contamination trends, with samples exceeding EU Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) increasing from 14.95 % (2021) to 37.38 % (2023), before declining to 28.74 % (2024). Between 42 and 97 different pesticides were detected annually, with acetamiprid consistently the most prevalent (21.5-29.51 %). Neonicotinoids dominated detections, representing two to four compounds in annual top-10 rankings. Multiple residue contamination escalated dramatically from 45.79 % (2021) to 69.35 % (2023), with samples containing up to 16 pesticides simultaneously. Chlorpyrifos and bifenazate showed severe MRL violations, exceeding limits by 6.2-fold and 25.9-fold, respectively. Despite extensive contamination, chronic dietary risk assessment across 13 population groups indicated acceptable exposure levels, with all calculated %ADI values below the 100 % safety threshold. The highest exposure corresponded to 3.47 % of the ADI for chlorpyrifos in the GEMS/Food G15 population. While current consumption poses negligible health risks, the high prevalence of MRL violations and multiple residues highlights urgent needs for enhanced agricultural practices and regulatory enforcement to ensure long-term food safety.