Imported Onions Must Undergo Comprehensive Pesticide Residue Inspection

One of the key items critically examined in agricultural product distribution is safety. As part of this, fresh agricultural products shipped to wholesale markets and large discount marts undergo pesticide residue testing, and if detected levels exceed the permitted standards for the specific item or unauthorized pesticides are found, the entire batch is discarded. In March, imported Chinese onions under the low-tariff quota (TRQ) were found to have an insecticide component, thiamethoxam, that exceeded the pesticide residue limit by four times. Fortunately, it was detected by the Food and Drug Safety Administration and returned, but the shock of detecting excessive pesticide components in fresh vegetables that should guarantee safety cannot be overlooked. Our government has been implementing the Positive List System (PLS) for pesticide residue standards on post-harvest agricultural products since 2019 to secure food safety for domestic and foreign agricultural products. The PLS ...