Expert comment from Eurofins Agroscience Regulatory

Review of the methodology used for the assessment of the short‐term (acute) dietary exposure to pesticide residues in food (IESTI methodology)

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed the current method for assessing short-term dietary exposure to pesticide residues in the EU.

They proposed three new calculation methods to address weaknesses in the current calculation system. After comparing over 400 pesticide/food combinations, EFSA found that the new methods would affect different food categories in different ways. These calculations also showed that most pesticide levels are safe, but a few cases might exceed safe limits.

Despite this, the current legal limits for pesticide residues are considered protective for consumers. The findings will help decide if the new calculation methods need to be more conservative than the current ones.

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