Pesticide residues in breadseed poppy and the associated risks of exposure for the Czech population

Although pesticide treatments are commonly used to protect breadseed poppy plants against diseases, insects, and weeds, the knowledge on an occurrence of pesticide residue in this crop and the associated dietary exposure to these contaminants remains limited. Of the 404 pesticides that were analyzed, 50 different pesticides were detected in quantifiable concentrations in poppy seeds during the five-year monitoring study. The most frequently detected pesticide residues included fungicides (prothioconazole-desthio, tebuconazole, azoxystrobin and fluopyram) and insecticides (acetamiprid, pirimiphos-methyl and thiacloprid). A decrease in several pesticide findings (e.g., chlorpyrifos-methyl, cyproconazole, and thiacloprid) was noted due to the EU's decision to withdraw them. Of the 530 samples analyzed, only 66 (i.e., 13%) of them were free of quantifiable residues. Due to the high number of samples (121 samples) that exceeded the maximum residue levels established in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, this food commodity should be included in pesticide residue monitoring programs. The acute and chronic risk assessments indicate that the potential dietary intake of pesticide residues from poppy seeds is below the health-based guidance values (i.e., ARfD and ADI). The results of this study highlight the need for an understanding of the relationship between Czech poppy seed production practices and food safety standards. • Pesticide treatments are common practice in breadseed poppy cultivation. • Poppy seed samples were found to contain residues of 50 different pesticides. • Fungicides and insecticides were the most frequently detected pesticide residues. • Presence of pesticide residues in poppy seeds is an important EU legislative issue.