Residual Pesticides Detected in 34% of Commercially Distributed Beolhwabon

Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment

Residual pesticides were detected in 34% of bee pollen products circulating in the market.

The Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 3rd that, after testing 53 bee pollen samples distributed domestically for pesticide residue safety, 18 samples (detection rate of 34%) were found to contain residual pesticides. Among these, 4 samples contained Chlorfenvinphos, a pesticide banned for use in Korea.

The institute collected 45 domestic and 8 imported bee pollen samples from small and medium-sized marts and online stores between February and May of last year to test for pesticide contamination levels.

The test results showed a pesticide residue detection rate of 31% (14 samples) for domestic products and 50% (4 samples) for imported products.

While food products distributed domestically are regulated with pesticide residue standards to prevent detection above the set limits, there are no such standards for bee pollen, leaving it as a blind spot in management.

In this inspection, residual pesticide levels ranged from a minimum of 16.2 ug/kg to a maximum of 375.4 ug/kg.

The institute has forwarded these test results to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and recommended the establishment and management of pesticide residue standards for bee pollen so that residents can consume bee pollen with confidence.

A representative from the Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health and Environment emphasized, "Pesticide regulations limited only to edible agricultural products have limitations in ensuring the safety of pesticide residues in bee pollen," adding, "We will do our best to proactively block harmful substances and ensure the safe distribution of food."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.