2023-10-14 05:00:00
This year, the State Agricultural and Food Inspection (SZPI) inspected 24 batches of black and green tea. In 75% of them, she found the presence of pesticide residues. “Eighteen of the analyzed batches of tea had a positive finding of pesticide residues. MRL exceeded (maximum residue limit – editor’s note) was for five batches, so they were evaluated according to the relevant legal regulation as non-compliant,” explains SZPI spokesperson Marek Bartík.
It is common in two thirds
In 2022, inspectors checked 26 lots of tea, and 69% of them contained pesticide residues. “It follows from the results of recent years that we detect the presence of pesticide residues in approximately two-thirds of the samples taken,” adds the SZPI spokesperson, stating that a total of 8 lots exceeded the set limits last year. Often, in such unsatisfactory teas, a multiple exceedance of pesticide residues in one sample is detected. Currently, SZPI inspectors repeatedly find above-limit values of pesticides in teas originating from Vietnam.
Over the limit, but they fit
In Friday’s test of black teas, eight of the nine brands tested tested positive for residues, but most did not exceed the maximum residue limit (MLR).
However, for two brands, the values of one pesticide were higher than the maximum prescribed limits, but within the 50% tolerance. It is so benevolent because of the very low concentrations. “These samples fall into the compliant category,” warns Bartík and adds: “Legal limits are set to take into account the safety of all consumer groups, e.g. infants, children or vegetarians.”
What is MLR?
It is an abbreviation for the maximum residue limit (from the English MRL = maximum residue level), which is the maximum allowed amount of pesticide residues in food expressed in milligrams per kilogram. “If the value of pesticide residues in a given food does not exceed the legal limit, it can be considered satisfactory according to the relevant regulation, i.e. safe for human health,” reported by Bártík from SZPI.
Which black tea is completely pesticide-free? Find out in the current Blesku consumer test.
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The sensory test was attended by twelve trained experts from the University of Chemistry and Technology (VŠCHT) in Prague, who evaluated black teas brewed according to the instructions on the package, in the facilities of the Laboratory of Sensory Analysis of the VŠCHT.
Author: Michal Protivanský
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