26 April 2004
NZFSA releases Total Diet Survey and other residue monitoring
programme results
New Zealand’s food supply has been confirmed as being among the very
safest in the world.
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) has today released
completed results of its 2002/2003 monitoring of chemical residue status
of New Zealand’s food supply, including the second quarter of the Total
Diet Survey, and the Animal Products Residue Monitoring Programme and
Dairy Monitoring Programme.
The monitoring programmes have covered a comprehensive range of
common New Zealand foods, both at the production stage and at the point
of sale to consumers.
“The news for New Zealand is excellent,” said Dr Andrew McKenzie,
NZFSA Executive Director. “Of the 117,340 tests, there were just 9
results where residues over the maximum residue limit (MRL) were
detected. This means that 99.9934% of results met or bettered the
regulatory agricultural compound residue requirements.
“In reality, this figure is probably even higher because the animal
samples tested were tissues and samples expected to have the highest
concentration of residues. Many of these are not generally food
products, including urine, liver and other organs and fluids. The other
point to note is that MRLs are not safety levels and there are big
margins of safety built into them.
“99.9877% of veterinary medicine test results were below the relevant
MRLs, and the four (of 32,528) that were above were of no public health
concern. Two were anticoccidial compounds just slightly above the MRLs.
“The other two were bobby calves tested after interception for
veterinary inspection. They did not enter, and would not have entered,
the food chain. However, they were sampled in order to provide a
complete picture of what is occurring on the farm to ensure that we are
monitoring good agricultural practice.
“For environmental contaminants in animal products, 99.964% were
below the regulatory threshold. Of the three that weren’t (from 8228
tests) one was brodifacoum in a feral pig. The other two were of beta
HCCH, a contaminant of the now disused pesticide
lindane. Both of these
results were also just above the MRL.
“NZFSA investigates any MRL breach and takes further action in these
cases.
“The Dairy Chemical Contaminants Programme found no residues in any
of the 80 compounds tested for in 18,800 tests between August 2002 and
February 2004,” said Dr McKenzie.
Results of the second quarter of the New Zealand Total Diet Survey
were also released today. The Total Diet Survey is a regular survey
programme looking at dietary exposure over time and is not specifically
for compliance monitoring, unlike the other programmes.
There was only one result of concern from the Total Diet Survey.
“One of the tests for nutrient elements (such as iron, sodium and
iodine) raised concern,” said Dr McKenzie.
“A soy milk product line that used kelp as flavouring had high levels
of iodine. However, proper procedures were followed and the relevant
overseas authority alerted, which then dealt with the issue. The
manufacturer immediately ceased production and re-formulated the product
line.
“There have also been no reports of adverse effects. However, if
people are concerned about the amount of kelp they have been consuming
in their diet, they should consult their doctor. Having been alerted to
the potential problem of kelp as an ingredient, and associated high
iodine levels, NZFSA is conducting further work in this area.
“Because the manufacturer fully and willingly cooperated, and the
issue has been resolved, the product line will not be named by NZFSA as
to do so would be unfair. If we had not had full and immediate
cooperation, the situation would have been different.
“Two of the 53,098 tests for agricultural compounds showed results
just above the default New Zealand MRL of 0.1mg/kg, and these were for
bananas and olive oil. There is no issue with these because the default
MRL (applied for compounds not used in New Zealand, but necessary in
other climates) is intentionally set very low to ensure a huge margin of
safety.”
“In conclusion, we are delighted that the vast majority of New
Zealand food producers and manufacturers have proven to be committed to
ensuring that New Zealand retains its position as having one of the
world’s safest food supplies. NZFSA will continue its comprehensive
suite of monitoring and control programmes, and is further developing
new programmes to target any areas where concerns may be identified.”
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