Inspectors of the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (CAFIA) seized two shipments of basil from Thailand, in which laboratory analysis confirmed presence of ten or seven pesticide substances exceeding the limits. In one case, the analysis revealed that the limit was exceeded 100 times and in two cases more than 40 times. The basil was found during the inspection of wholesalers and importers performed in cooperation with the Customs Office Prague – Ruzyně. Potent insecticide carbofuran, which was banned by the EU in 2008 due to its adverse effects was one of the substances detected. The total weight of non-compliant lots amounted to almost 850 kg.

Following foodstuffs are concerned:

Sweet Basil, lot specification: „Lot No.: SHP542A“, importer: Veggie Fruit s.r.o., Kaštanová 1198, Jesenice 252 42, CR.

The analysis in an accredited laboratory showed the presence of residues of following pesticides in the foodstuff: bifenthrin – 0.28 mg/kg (milligrams per kilogram; limit: 0.02 mg/kg), carbofuran – 0.052 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), chlorfenapyr – 0.70 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), cyproconazole – 0.13 mg/kg (limit: 0.05 mg/kg), phenobucarb – 0.22 mg/kg (limit: 0.11 mg/kg), fipronil – 0.23 mg/kg (limit: 0.005 mg/kg), imidacloprid – 0.71 mg/kg (limit: 0.05 mg/kg), lufenuron – 0.33 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), propiconazole – 0.45 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), tolfenpyrad – 0.093 mg/kg (limit: 0.01 mg/kg).

Sweet Basil, lot specification: „Lot No.: SHP530A / VEG005“, importer: Veggie Fruit s.r.o., Kaštanová 1198, Jesenice 252 42, CR.

The analysis in an accredited laboratory showed the presence of residues of following pesticides in the foodstuff: buprofezin – 0.056 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), chlorfenapyr – 0.079 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), lufenuron – 0.84 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), pirimiphos-methyl – 0.097 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), profenofos – 3.1 mg/kg (limit: 0,03 mg/kg), pyridaben – 0.12 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg), bifenthrin – 0.15 mg/kg (limit: 0.02 mg/kg).

CAFIA inspectors seized the lots in question before their distribution to the retail network, the operator disposed them, and the basil thus did not reach the final consumer.

CAFIA will initiate an administrative procedure with the inspected person to impose a fine.

Article by: Pavel Kopřiva – CAFIA Spokesperson, phone: +420 542 426 633 
4^th April 2024

Source: Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority | CAFIA seized basil from Thailand with 10 pesticides above the limit (gov.cz)