Program for the analysis of pesticide residues in food in the state of Minas Gerais: factors involved in traceability and sanitary control

Vigil Sanit Debate, Rio de Janeiro, 2023, v.11: e02141 | Published on: 04/10/2023

Abstract

Introduction: The monitoring of pesticide residues in food can contribute to control actions, mitigation of risks to human health and compliance with quality criteria related to national and international trade. Objective: To investigate and analyze the factors involved in the traceability and sanitary control of vegetable foods collected in the retail trade by the Program for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Food in the state of Minas Gerais (PARAMG). Method: Based on a non-probabilistic sampling, the sanitary inspectors who worked in sample collection (n = 6) and those responsible for food quality control in the retail chains participating in the program (n = 12) were interviewed, using as a reference the survey method. Results: The results showed that 83.3% of sample collection sites are large establishments located in the metropolitan region of the state capital, which demonstrates that food sold in small retail establishments and open markets was not monitored by the program. According to the interviewees, 88.9% of the retail chains do not include traceability information on foods and 62.2% of the commercialized foods do not carry all the mandatory traceability information. Conclusions: The study identified factors related to companies, suppliers, rural producers and agencies that hinder the implementation of traceability in commercialized foods. Additionally, factors associated with operational issues, sampling of food products and related to the performance of control agencies that negatively affect the sanitary control of pesticide residues in food were identified. The study also proposes actions and measures aimed at promoting more transparency and safety in the food production chain.