Press releases

Fresh fruit and vegetables impress in residue analyses

QS and DFHV present 9^th monitoring report at the 2018 Fruit Logistica

In the broad analysis spectrum of the monitoring programmes from both the QS Fachgesellschaft Obst, Gemüse, Kartoffeln GmbH (QS) and the Deutsche Fruchthandelsverband e. V. (DFHV), 26,771 fruit and vegetable samples from 73 countries were jointly evaluated. The results are more than impressive and show the reliable work of producers and marketers of fresh fruit and vegetables. 97.5 percent of all samples were below the legally required maximum residue levels (MRL) for plant protection products. 41.6 percent of all samples were completely free of any residues – a remarkable increase of 5 percentage points compared to the previous year.

Targeting Feed Safety

QS-Feed Monitoring-Report focuses on MOSH and MOAH

The consistently high level of feed safety is confirmed again: only 0.8 percent of the total number of 24,000 samples taken during the last testing period were conspicuous - the efforts of the animal feed sector pay off. And yet, the industry is regularly confronted with new challenges. Apart from the common parameters used in residue analysis, less familiar, but no less critical variables show up again and again. Currently, hydrocarbon compounds known as MOSH and MOAH, are the focus of industry attention.

QS random sample audits along the entire supply chain

Additional controls ensure scheme stability

In the coming months, more and more additional random sample audits will be taking place throughout the entire QS scheme. The randomly selected companies will be audited without advance notice and will face sanctions in the event of noncompliance with requirements.

Laboratory Performance Assessments in the QS Scheme

Execution quality of laboratories put to the test

The QS Laboratory Competence Assessment enables laboratories to identify problems and error sources and thus continuously improve the quality of their analyses, explains Dr. Gustav Offenbächer, assessor for residue analysis and quality control. The tests are specifically structured in such a way that weak points can be revealed and rectified. Evidence of this has been provided once again by the result of this year’s spring test in which, although 71% of the recognised laboratories passed, only a good third of them were completely error-free. QS-recognised laboratories did considerably better here than labs undergoing the recognition process (see Fig. 1).

Monitoring Report Fruit & Vegetables 2017 underlines strong sense of responsibility among producers

QS and DFHV present updated residue monitoring findings at the Fruit Logistica

The new issue of the Monitoring Report Fruit, Vegetables, Potatoes underlines once again the quality of the operations of producers in the QS scheme and of the suppliers to the member companies of the German Fruit Trade Association (DFHV). The residue levels of plant protection products were below the legal limit values in 97 percent of all tested samples. 36.6 percent of samples contained no residues of plant protection products at all – an impressive figure. At the same time, the Monitoring Report also identified potential for improvement in third countries.

DFHV and QS Publish Monitoringreport 2016

More than 26,000 samples analysed, producers’ good professional practice pays off

The consistent implementation of the provisions on the use of plant protection products and good professional practice on the part of the producers is paying off: Nearly 98 percent of all samples examined for pesticide residues were below the legal maximum limits. Over 43% of all fruit and vegetable samples analyzed showed no residues of plant protection products of any kind. As about 38 percent of the samples were completely residue-free the previous year, this means a further improvement of five percentage points. This result was arrived at by the jointly conducted evaluations of the monitoring programmes of QS Fachgesellschaft Obst-Gemüse-Kartoffeln GmbH (QS) and the German Fruit Trade Association (DFHV). The most important analysis results are summarised in the Monitoring Report 2016, which will be published in time for the Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin.

QS Laboratory Performance Assessment

Focus again on metabolite analysis – improvement measures showing effects

The pleasing result of the latest laboratory performance assessment is that 93 percent of the labs approved by QS satisfy the demands placed on them, thus raising the already high level of the last assessment even higher. The main focus of the autumn assessment was again me-tabolite analysis. The results confirm that the deficits of past years have been permanently rectified in this area.

QS feed monitoring-report proves neat work

2 Mio. analysis data evaluated

Economic operators in the QS-scheme put quality assurance measures in the feed sector consistently into action. This is shown by the current overall evalu-ation of feed samples and individual analyses. The second issue of the feed monitoring-report released by QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH provides a detailed insight into the QS-feed monitoring. 2 Mio. Analysis data provide the basis for the report.

Laboratories confirm high level of efficiency in QS laboratory performance assessment

Consistent testing has real impact: laboratories now have a better command over metabolite analytics

The good results in the current laboratory performance assessement substantiate the rapid implementation of improvement measures. After the last test in 2014 the complexity of metabolite analytics posed considerable difficulties for the participating laboratories, 85 percent of the laboratories now meet the expected requirements.

Monitoringreport 2015

Consistent quality assurance with fruit and vegetables is bearing fruit: 99 percent of all samples examined for pesticide residues were below the legal maximum limits. This is substantiated by the jointly conducted evaluations of the monitoring programmes of QS Fachgesellschaft Obst-Gemüse-Kartoffeln GmbH (QS) and the German Fruit Trade Association (DFHV). The analysis results are summarised in the Monitoringreport 2015 which will be published in the course of the Fruit Logistica fair.