Journal of Food Processing & Technology

Residue monitoring programs and MRL setting procedures in Latin America

5^th Euro-Global Summit and Expo on Food & Beverages

June 16-18, 2015 Alicante, Spain

Nuri Gras

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Food Process Technol

Abstract:

The world population increases progressively and, consequently, the global demand for food, feed and fiber will nearly double (FAO, 2016). In this context, it is worth mentioning that Latin America is considered a privileged region in relation to the diversity of natural resources, with 34% of the world?s renewable water resources (ONU-Habitat, 2012). In addition, this region produces and exports food for millions of people worldwide (Avina, 2014). Therefore, it is reasonable to consider Latin America as a ?food pantry? for the world in the future. Consequently, countries must take active measures to safeguard the food security and food safety including, among others, the monitoring and evaluation of the maximum limits for pesticide residues. Several Latin America countries have monitoring programs for pesticide residues. However, it is important to mention that these are in different stages of development, as well as the establishment of MRLs. The compilation of information related to the institutions responsible for the monitoring programs and the criterion for determining the MRLs in Latin America was conducted by means of a questionnaire answered by the representatives of each country for these topics. Since Latin America exports a large number of fruits and vegetables, both in and outside the region and based on its importance as ?food pantry?, it becomes essential to safeguard the food security and food safety, that can be affected, among other factors, by the presence of pesticide residues. Therefore, it is essential to have uniform criteria, which cross borders and thus reach a global MRL harmonization.