Residues found in just 0.2% of food samples tested by department

Just 0.2% of food samples were found containing residues by the Department of Agriculture’s tests under the National Residue Control Plan in 2013.

Nearly 20,000 samples were tested in 2013, taken across all eight food producing species, as well as milk, eggs and honey. Some 46 (0.2%) out of 19,869 tested positive which shows a continuation of the trend over a number of years of a general absence of residues in Irish food products.

A department spokesman said the extensive testing under the NRCP demonstrates an absence of illegal administration of banned growth-promoting hormones and other banned substances, with the small number of positives detected relating mainly to residues of authorised medicines.