Pesticide residues, including substances not approved in the European Union, were detected in food products of both plant and animal origin consumed in Cyprus, according to a newly published report by the Pesticide Residues Laboratory of the State General Laboratory under the Ministry of Health.
The findings have renewed concerns about pesticide use, with a Cyprus University of Technology expert warning that many test results become available only after the products concerned have already been consumed.
EU limits exceeded in plant samples
According to the 2025 report, 13.1% of plant-origin samples (61 out of 466 samples) were found to exceed the EU's Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs).
At the same time, 7.3% of samples (34 samples) were classified as legal violations after measurement uncertainty was taken into account, meaning they exceeded permitted limits and, in principle, should not have been placed on the market.
The rates of exceedance were recorded as:
- 9.8% of vegetable samples
- 6% of fruit samples
- 3.8% of samples from the tea, herbal infusion, herbs and spices category
- 13.9% of processed food samples
- 1.5% of cereal, pulse and oilseed samples
In seven samples, exposure levels for adults and children exceeded the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) toxicological threshold:
- Acetamiprid in celery and peaches
- Cypermethrin in table grapes, vine leaves and spinach
- L-Cyhalothrin in table grapes
In three additional cases, children's exposure exceeded the ARfD:
- Acetamiprid in plums and tomatoes
- Formetanate in apricots
In one case, adult exposure exceeded the ARfD:
- L-Cyhalothrin in vine leaves preserved in brine
Most frequently detected substances
The five most commonly detected pesticide substances were:
- Acetamiprid (13.5%)
- Cypermethrin (11.8%)
- Tebuconazole (11.2%)
- Fluopyram (10.7%)
- Chlorantraniliprole (10.5%)
Among plant-origin samples analysed:
- 52.2% were produced in Cyprus
- 18% originated from EU member states
- 28.5% came from third countries
- 1.3% were of unknown origin
Organic products also tested positive
The report also found pesticide residues in products marketed as organic.
Of the 85 organic samples analysed, 18 tested positive for pesticide residues.
These included:
- Oats
- Barley
- Dried mint
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Chard
- Kiwifruit
Residues were also detected in a ready-made meal intended for infants and young children.
Residues detected in animal-origin products
A total of 83 animal-origin samples were analysed during 2025.
Pesticide residues were detected in 14.5% of samples, including chlorate ions, which may originate from a variety of sources such as water.
The findings included:
- Nine honey samples containing pesticide residues. Seven contained Amitraz, one contained Acetamiprid and one contained chlorate ions. One of the honey samples containing Amitraz also contained Coumaphos.
- One sheep muscle tissue sample containing low levels of DDT residues.
- One pork fat sample containing residues of Pyridate.
- One egg sample containing chlorate ion residues.
- One honey sample classified as non-compliant due to the presence of Amitraz residues, prompting follow-up inspections at the relevant facilities or farms.
Causes linked to farming practices
According to the report, non-compliance with EU Maximum Residue Levels is primarily linked to failures in following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
In some cases, approved pesticides were used on crops for which they were not authorised. Other issues involved excessive dosage, too many applications, inappropriate application methods or failure to observe required pre-harvest intervals.
The report also identified instances involving pesticides not approved within the European Union.
Depending on the case, measures taken included:
- Administrative sanctions
- Product recalls
- Rapid alert notifications
- Withdrawal of batches from the market
- Destruction of products
- Follow-up targeted sampling
The report analysed 549 food samples of plant and animal origin as part of official controls. The sampling rate amounted to 56.8 samples per 100,000 inhabitants.
Expert raises concerns over findings
Menelaos Stavrinides, associate professor at the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology and Food Science at the Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), described the figures as concerning.
Speaking to Politis, he said the rates of 13.1% non-compliance, 7.3% legal violations and 14.5% positivity in animal samples were significant and reflected Cyprus' poor record within the European Union regarding pesticide residue exceedances.
"We have a problem because pesticides are used extensively and frequently through spraying," he said.
Stavrinides also noted that because the report concerns 2025 findings, lengthy procedures mean most results become known only after the affected products, particularly fresh produce, have already been consumed.
Health risks highlighted
Plant protection products are chemical substances used to protect crops from insects, fungi and other organisms.
While their use since the 1940s has contributed to major increases in agricultural productivity, Stavrinides warned that exposure has been associated with serious environmental and health consequences.
"Unfortunately, their use causes very serious impacts on the environment and human health, as exposure to these substances has been linked to neurological disorders, various forms of cancer and reduced IQ levels in children," he said.
He added that although agricultural workers face the highest exposure levels, pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables remain a significant route of exposure for consumers more broadly.
Calls for pesticide prescription system
Since 2022, Cyprus has ranked among the leading EU member states in pesticide sales, at approximately nine kilograms per hectare, according to Stavrinides.
He argued that the prevailing model allows many farmers to purchase pesticides directly from sales outlets without the involvement of a licensed agronomist who could advise whether application is necessary, at what levels, and whether alternative sustainable farming methods are available.
The academic called for a system of transparent, responsible and evidence-based pesticide prescriptions issued by licensed agronomists.
Need for a national register
Stavrinides also identified the absence of a national register tracking pesticide use at farm level and linking applications to points of sale as a significant gap.
"The written prescription of pesticides would allow meaningful control of sales, significantly reducing unnecessary applications, which primarily harm farmers economically and additionally affect the environment and public health," he said.
Changing agricultural practices
The associate professor also referred to what he described as an entrenched culture within the agricultural sector that has developed over decades.
He compared it to a patient choosing not to follow a doctor's instructions and argued that public authorities should adopt a strategic and gradual approach to help farmers transition towards integrated farming systems in line with European Union objectives.
