Germany and Denmark: warnings over high pesticide levels for Turkish cherries

13 Sep 2023
1336

The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) has issued a consumer warning through German authorities after high levels of three pesticides were detected in cherries imported from Turkey. The foregoing was announced through inquiries from the team at Hortoinfo, a Spanish information portal, regarding RASFF notification number 2023.5584 on Aug. 17.

As reported by SimFruit based on the information, an official market inspection on July 19 found an excessive presence of the pesticides chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and omethoate, in all cases exceeding their maximum residue limit (MRL).

Chlorpyrifos was present in Turkish cherries at a level of 0.029 +/- 0.015 mg/kg - ppm, where the prescribed MRL is 0.01 mg/kg - ppm.

Meanwhile, dimethoate was present in Turkish cherries at a level of 0.16 +/- 0.08 mg/kg - ppm. Regarding omethoate, the analyses showed a content of 0.069 +/- 0.035 mg/kg - ppm. In both cases, the MRL is set at 0.01 mg/kg - ppm, as for chlorpyrifos.

A further alert for Turkish cherries was issued a week later in Denmark due to high levels of dimethoat and omethoat (ref. 2023.5779). The risk was identified as potentially serious and a recall was ordered. 

The results of the sampling of this second batch:

Sampling

Hazard

Category

Analytical resultsMaximum
4 JUL 2023Dimethoate - pesticide residuesPesticide residues0,04 +/- 0,02 mg/kg - ppm0,01 mg/kg - ppm
4 JUL 2023Omethoate - pesticide residuesPesticide residues0,018 +/- 0,009 mg/kg - ppm0,01 mg/kg - ppm


Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

The pruning period can affect the spread of bacterial cancer

Crop protection

05 Mar 2024

Youfu Zhao recommends pruning in summer whenever possible and switching from sprinkler to drip irrigation to keep the orchard drier. For larger trees, it is possible to cut back the cankers, Zhao said, but this is fatal for young trees.

Neuquén (Argentina): 50% growth with record production at 1,600 tonnes

Production Press review

07 Feb 2024

Neuquén holds an important share in Argentina's cherry exports, averaging 22% of the product's total foreign placements. This season's sales will generate foreign currency worth just over USD 4 million.

In evidenza

Cherry pruning: a winning strategy for Chilean quality and competitiveness

Tech management

24 Jun 2025

At Cherry Tech 2025, agronomist Carlos Tapia explained how strategic cherry pruning—supported by NDVI mapping and spatial analysis—can reduce labor, improve fruit size, and enhance profitability. A cost-effective, high-impact tool to maintain Chile’s global cherry leadership.

Blossoming Japan: the Sano family's mission to protect the Sakura

Specialties

24 Jun 2025

In Kyoto, Japan, the Sano family has protected a rare cherry blossom garden for generations. Tōemon Sano, 97, Japan’s most revered sakuramori, continues his mission to shield sakura trees from climate change and preserve their fleeting beauty and deep cultural significance.

Tag Popolari