Pesticide Surveillance in Fruits and Vegetables from Romanian Supply: A Data-Driven Approach

Abstract

The evolution of global agriculture encourages the extensive use of pesticides although significant concerns regarding their impact on human health and the environment must be considered. The present paper highlights the presence and concentrations of various pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables available on Romanian markets. A total of 74 pesticide compounds authorized for agricultural use were identified and quantified in 620 randomly selected samples spanning a wide range of horticultural products by employing the QuEChERS extraction method and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The most often detected pesticides comprised boscalid and azoxystrobin, present in 42% and 37% of apple and strawberry samples, respectively, with mean concentrations of 0.12 mg/kg and 0.09 mg/kg. In cucumbers and tomatoes, difenoconazole and acetamiprid were predominant, detected in 35% and 40% of samples, with average residue amounts of 0.08 mg/kg and 0.07 mg/kg, respectively. Statistical analysis, achieved with Python 3.13.2, the pandas library (alongside descriptive statistics), and ANOVA, revealed significant variations in residue levels based on the product type and geographic origin. Boscalid and azoxystrobin were commonly encountered in apples and strawberries while difenoconazole and acetamiprid predominated in cucumbers and tomatoes. Even though the majority of pesticide residues conformed to EU maximum residue limits (MRLs), about 6% of samples, generally from imported products, displayed some residue concentrations approaching critical thresholds, with the highest exceedance observed for chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin at concentrations of up to 0.25 mg/kg. This research provides a comprehensive overview of pesticide residues prevalence in Romania's fresh product supply while, at the same time, supporting consumer awareness initiatives and evidencing the critical demand for continuous monitoring and strengthened regulatory frameworks for food safety.

Keywords: chromatography; fruits; pesticides; statistical analysis; vegetables.

Figure 1

Sunburst chart for pesticide contamination of fruits depending on the continent and country of origin, product name, and pesticide type.

Figure 2

Sunburst chart for pesticide contamination of vegetables depending on the continent and country of origin, product name, and pesticide type.

Figure 3

Key descriptive statistics of pesticide values in vegetable product type samples: (a) mean values; (b) median values; (c) minimum values; (d) maximum values; (e) standard deviation values.

Figure 4

Key descriptive statistics of pesticide values in fruit product type samples: (a) mean values; (b) median values; (c) minimum values; (d) maximum values; (e) standard deviation values.

Figure 5

ANOVA results; box plots and bar charts for vegetables.

Figure 6

ANOVA results; box plots and bar charts for fruits.

Figure 7

K-means clustering of pesticide residue in fruits and vegetables available in Romanian markets.