Pesticide Residue Thresholds, Cocktail Effect Oversight, and Safeguarding in Food Safety

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I respectfully request access to the following information held by Food Standards Scotland (FSS) in relation to pesticide residues in food, risk assessments, and public health oversight. 

Q1. Pesticide Residue Thresholds and Monitoring 

- A list of current maximum residue levels (MRLs) permitted in fruit, vegetables, and cereals sold in Scotland, including compound names and thresholds. 

- Any internal guidance, memos, or correspondence discussing the monitoring of multi[1]residue contamination in food products.

- Records of pesticide residue testing conducted on school meal components, fruit packs, or publicly funded food programmes. 

Q2. Cocktail Effect and Synergistic Toxicity 

- Any toxicology reviews, scientific assessments, or internal discussions regarding the “cocktail effect” of multiple pesticide residues in a single food item. 

- Documentation clarifying whether FSS considers synergistic toxicity when setting or reviewing MRLs. 

- Any correspondence with DEFRA, UKHSA, or international bodies regarding cumulative exposure risks in children. 

Q3. Safeguarding, Consent, and Public Messaging 

- Any safeguarding assessments or DPIAs conducted in relation to pesticide exposure through publicly distributed food (e.g. school fruit packs). 

- Internal documents discussing the ethical or legal basis for not requiring pesticide disclosure on non-organic produce.

- Records of public consultation, stakeholder engagement, or policy review regarding pesticide use in food labelled or promoted as “healthy.”

A1. Pesticide Residue Thresholds and Monitoring 

- A list of current maximum residue levels (MRLs) permitted in fruit, vegetables, and cereals sold in Scotland, including compound names and thresholds.

- Any internal guidance, memos, or correspondence discussing the monitoring of multi[1]residue contamination in food products. 

- Records of pesticide residue testing conducted on school meal components, fruit packs, or publicly funded food programmes. 

Food Standards Scotland does not hold this information. Please see links to the appropriate Government Departments. 

The Policy and Pesticides Survey Unit of the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) Division of Scottish Government has responsibility for pesticides in Scotland. A general pesticides information webpage is available here: Pesticides - Agriculture and the environment - gov.scot

The responsibility for monitoring and reviewing existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) and for considering applications for new pesticide products sits with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the pesticides MRL register is publicly available on the HSE website along with other relevant information. The general landing webpage is available here: Pesticides - HSE 

The Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF) provides independent advice to the Government on the monitoring of pesticide residues in food and results of monitoring are published and are publicly available. Further information about PRiF is available here: Expert Committee on Pesticide Residues in Food (PRiF) - GOV.UK 

A2. Cocktail Effect and Synergistic Toxicity 

- Any toxicology reviews, scientific assessments, or internal discussions regarding the “cocktail effect” of multiple pesticide residues in a single food item. 

- Documentation clarifying whether FSS considers synergistic toxicity when setting or reviewing MRLs. 

- Any correspondence with DEFRA, UKHSA, or international bodies regarding cumulative exposure risks in children. 

Food Standards Scotland have not conducted toxicology reviews or internal discussions on the “cocktail effect”, nor held correspondence with OGDs on cumulative exposure risks. We do not set MRLs, nor do we have any documents regarding synergistic toxicity of pesticides and MRLs.

A3. Safeguarding, Consent, and Public Messaging 

- Any safeguarding assessments or DPIAs conducted in relation to pesticide exposure through publicly distributed food (e.g. school fruit packs). 

- Internal documents discussing the ethical or legal basis for not requiring pesticide disclosure on non-organic produce. 

- Records of public consultation, stakeholder engagement, or policy review regarding pesticide use in food labelled or promoted as “healthy.” 

Food Standards Scotland are not aware of any safeguarding assessments carried out in relation to pesticide exposure through publicly distributed foodstuff such as school fruit packs.