Pesticides are chemicals intended to repel, destroy or control pests and unwanted species of plants or animals. They include: herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, growth regulators and repellents. After treatment, residues remain in agricultural products intended for human consumption, hence the need to set maximum residue limits (MRLs) in order to preserve the health of the consumer. At the European Union level, all questions relating to these limits for pesticide residues in food and feed are governed by Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 and the texts amending or supplementing it. At the national level, a draft text setting MRLs is at an advanced stage before its publication in the Official Journal of the Republic of Tunisia.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-NDL) are persistent organic pollutants, that is, substances which decompose very little in the environment and accumulate in various media, in particular the soil.

Animal fats are the primary source of dietary exposure for humans. The levels of PCBs are mainly linked to the consumption of fish, milk, eggs, meat.

Dioxins are persistent organic pollutants. They are produced during combustion processes and accumulate in the food chain. The most contaminated foods are meats, fish, eggs, certain fats (oils), dairy products.

 

• Raw and processed fruits and vegetables
• Cereals and derived products
• Spices, herbs, tea, coffee, cocoa
• Meat, fish and seafood
• Food for animals
• Dairy products, fats and oils
• Eggs
• Honey
• Salt
• Waters
• Sugar
• Mineral insulating oils

The main equipment available is:

• GC-FPD
• GC-ECD
• GC-MS
• GC-MS-MS
• GC-HRMS