Pesticide Residues in Foods

The data provided for the registration of the product permits an estimate to be made of the residue levels in food. This estimate should be evaluated and monitored after the pesticide enters the market, in order to confirm the whether the estimates are valid, or whether it is necessary to revise them.
Surveillance of residues in foods can provide useful information on the following:

• to evaluate whether it is safe to consume the food in question;
  
• to detect residues originating from inappropriate use of the pesticide concerned or of pesticides which are not authorized for use on certain crops;
  
• to protect exporters' credibility vis-á-vis their clients, and
  
• to provide a basis for modifying the approved usage of the product by restricting or canceling the registration permit or by taking firmer action to ban inappropriate use of the product.

In 2000, Anvisa instituted the National Program of Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Food - PARA, with a view to developing programs aimed at bringing pesticide residues in foods under control.