U.S. Ban the Use of Chlorpyrifos on Food
In August 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed a final rule annulling all tolerances for chlorpyrifos throughout the United States of America. After February 28th, 2022, the application of chlorpyrifos to food commodities will result in food being classed as adulterated and therefore illegal to distribute under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). In instances of food containing traces of chlorpyrifos being introduced to United States commerce after February 28th, the EPA will proceed with its Notice of Intent to Cancel.
Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate agricultural pesticide used on a variety of food and feed crops either in capsule form or after being mixed with an oily liquid. Chlorpyrifos has the ability to eliminate insects and pests by interfering with an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase in their bodies which breaks up the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When an insect’s body cannot produce the enzyme, the levels of acetylcholine accumulate and overstimulate the nervous system until the creature dies.
Humans also have acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine in their bodies, which has led to growing concerns about the impact of the pesticide on human health.
The National Pesticide Information Center outlines the potentially hazardous effects of human exposure to chlorpyrifos above the recommended levels. In the short term, individuals may experience nausea, dizziness, a runny nose, and a headache upon consumption of a low-level dosage of the pesticide.
In order to help the industry, Randox Food Diagnostics have developed Biochip Array Technology (BAT) for use across a range of matrices. Using BAT, our Pesticide Array can detect incredibly low levels of multiple pesticides including chlorpyrifos from a single honey sample. Using our Pesticide Array, you can ensure that your honey meets international standards and regulations and that it is fit for human consumption.
**Pesticide Array for Milk coming soon.**
For more information on our Pesticide Array for honey, click here or email us at info@randoxfooddiagnostics.com