Analysis and Risk Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Strawberry Using the PRIMo Model: Detection, Public Health and Safety Implications

Abstract

Strawberries are among the most consumed fruits in Europe, but intensive cultivation requires frequent pesticide use, raising food safety concerns. This study evaluated pesticide residues and dietary risk in strawberries from the Agro Aversano area (Southern Italy). A total of 83 samples collected in 2023-2024 were analyzed using a validated QuEChERS-LC-MS/MS method targeting 850 active substances. Thirty-one pesticides were detected, predominantly fungicides, followed by acaricides and insecticides. Cyflumetofen and pyrimethanil were the most frequent residues, while compounds with low toxicological thresholds, including emamectin benzoate, lambda-cyhalothrin, acetamiprid, and tetraconazole, were also identified. Dietary risk assessment was conducted with the EFSA PRIMo model (v.3.1), focusing on the NL toddler subgroup. Despite occasional exceedances of European Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), both acute and chronic exposures remained well below toxicological reference values (ADI and ARfD). Overall, the results indicate negligible health risks but highlight the relevance of cumulative exposure, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and sustainable pest management practices to ensure strawberry safety.

Keywords: EFSA PRIMo model; QuEChERS method; cumulative dietary risk; multiresidues; strawberries analysis.

Figure 1

Map of the study area in the Campania Region, southern Italy.

Figure 2

Percentage concentration of individual pesticide active substances. Trend of the percentage concentration of different pesticide active substances detected in analyzed strawberry samples.

Figure 3

Percentage distribution of samples according to the number of detected pesticides. 17% of the samples showed no residues, while 28% contained a single residue. The remaining 55% had between two and seven residues, with progressively decreasing values.