SGS pesticide residue testing services identify any contamination of food products with poisonous and potentially lethal pesticides.
The risk associated with pesticide residues in food products, or raw materials, has been highlighted by the recent tragedy in India that saw 47 children poisoned and 23 killed by toxic pesticide levels in their school lunch.
SGS has capability in Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa to perform a broad range of pesticide residue testing on a wide variety of products. Some of the categories of pesticides SGS can test for include:
- Organophosphates
- Organochlorides
- Organonitrogens
- Carbamates
- Pyrethroids
- Triazines
Depending on the pesticide residue being tested for and the products being tested, pesticide testing is performed on high-performance liquid chromatograph with tandem mass spectrometers (HPLC-MS/MS), gas chromatograph with tandem mass spectrometers (GC-MS/MS), high-performance liquid chromatograph with mass spectrometer (HPLC/MS), gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer (GC/MS) or gas chromatograph with electron capture detector GC/ECD.
In addition to ensuring safety within the food processing and manufacturing industries, SGS can support the consumer aspect of the food industry to further minimize risk. Implementing correct handling processes, a food safety management system and staff training all have a role to play.
SGS’s trusted third-party testing, verification and certification services enable the food industry to trade safe, quality products both domestically and internationally.
