Last Monday, the phytosanitary inspection office of Republika Srpska (RS), one of the entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has forbidden the import of 21 tons of tangerines from Turkey because of high levels of pesticides. This was stated in a RS Inspectorate press release the same day.
During the inspection of the shipment, the inspectors carried out sampling for laboratory analyses to test for pesticide residues, which resulted in presence of pesticides above the prescribed maximum level. An increased presence of the pesticide ‘Fenvalerate’ was found.
The exporter requested an additional analysis which was carried out in Serbia’s capital Belgrade, confirming the increased presence of the pesticide, after which RS Inspectorate brought the decision on return or destruction of tangerines already imported.
Fenvalerate is most commonly used to control insects in food, and may irritate the skin and eyes on contact, and is also harmful if swallowed.
