Pesticide residues in food – 2019 Evaluation: Part II, Toxicological

Book excerpt: A Joint Meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Panel of experts on Pesticide Residues in Food and the Environment and the World Health Organization (WHO) Core assessment Group on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 17 to 26 September 2019. The FAO Panel Members met in preparatory sessions from 12 to 16 September. The Meeting evaluated 30 pesticides, including eight new compounds and three compounds that were re-evaluated for toxicity or residues, or both, within the periodic review programme of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). The Meeting established ADIs and ARfDs, estimated maximum residue levels and recommended them for use by CCPR, and estimated supervised trials median residue (STMR) and highest residue (HR) levels as a basis for estimating dietary exposures. The Meeting also estimated the dietary exposures (both acute and long-term) to the pesticides reviewed and, on this basis, performed a dietary risk assessment in relation to the relevant ADI and where necessary the ARfD. Cases in which ADIs or ARfDs may be exceeded, if they occur, are clearly indicated in order to facilitate the decision-making process by CCPR. The Meeting considered a number of general issues addressing procedures for the evaluation and risk assessment of pesticide residues.