Pesticide Residues in Dried Rosemary: Controls for Importers

Pesticide residues in dried rosemary are a practical concern for importers of aromatic herbs and for food manufacturers. Compliance cannot be established simply because the plant is wild, natural or comes from a farm that describes itself as organic. Quality departments need to review the requirements that apply to the product category and to the substances being tested for.

Understanding how MRLs work

In the European Union, maximum residue levels (MRLs) are set mainly by Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and its amendments. Values vary by active substance and by food category. You therefore need to consult the current legal texts and regulatory databases for the specific “product–substance” combination, rather than reusing a generic limit found on the internet.

Adapt the control plan to the risk

How often analyses are carried out depends in particular on origin, supplier history, past results and the use of the material. The plan should specify the target substances, the methods, how representative the sampling is and the actions to take in case of non-compliance. A multi-residue analysis can be useful, but its technical scope must be understood before it is accepted as evidence.

Organic and food safety: two separate checks

A relevant organic certification tells you which production and control rules apply. It does not exempt the importer from checking food safety obligations and any controls required at import. Likewise, a declared absence of treatment does not necessarily replace the documentary and analytical evidence requested by the customer.

Formalise the requirements in your purchasing

Specify the form of the rosemary, its use, the destination country, the documents expected and how deviations will be managed. Keep the evidence associated with each batch and set out how non-compliant goods will be handled. This approach stops a regulatory issue from becoming a mere marketing argument.

Useful source: European Commission — maximum residue levels database and legislation.

Related product

Dried rosemary leaves

Further reading

• Importing Organic Rosemary from Morocco: COI Certificate and TRACES-NT
• Microbiological Testing of Dried Rosemary: Key Points for Food Buyers

Discuss your sourcing requirements with Taramide

When making a professional enquiry, include your company, application, target quantity, destination country and required documents. Explore the product range or contact Taramide to discuss availability and specifications.