Pest control products industry Challenges Pesticide Residue Report, Urges Scientific Context in Food Safety Debate

Kenya’s pest control products industry has challenged a recent report claiming that 78 per cent of kales, tomatoes and spinach sampled from selected markets contained detectable pesticide residues, arguing that the findings were presented without the scientific context needed to determine whether the produce poses a health risk.

Representing importers, manufacturers and formulators of pest control products through the industry association aak-GROW, Chief Executive Officer Joel Mutai said the report focused on the detection of pesticide residues but did not indicate whether the residue levels exceeded internationally accepted Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), the benchmark used to determine compliance with food safety standards.

“I think I’ve underlined the word detectable residues. When you release to the public and mention that we have detectable residues without telling us the level of compliance, then you have caused an alarm to the general public,” Mutai said.

He explained that the presence of pesticide residues alone does not necessarily mean food is unsafe for consumption. According to the industry, pesticide residues are small amounts of crop protection products that may remain on or inside food after pesticides have been applied according to approved agricultural practices.

Mutai said registered pesticides naturally break down over time, and when farmers observe the recommended pre-harvest interval, residue levels are expected to decline to scientifically established safe limits before crops are harvested.

Central to the industry’s response is the concept of Maximum Residue Limits. MRLs are the highest legally permitted levels of pesticide residues allowed in food when pesticides have been used correctly under Good Agricultural Practice. They serve as regulatory benchmarks for compliance rather than indicators that food becomes unsafe once residues are detected.

The industry also questioned the report’s reliance on European Union residue standards without providing adequate comparison with Codex Alimentarius standards, which Kenya generally uses for food safety assessments and international trade.

Mutai argued that different markets apply different residue standards depending on their regulatory frameworks. While the European Union maintains its own Maximum Residue Limits, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), develops internationally recognised standards used by many countries.

“For us as a country, we benchmark on what you call Codex MRL. When I look at the figures, the level of residues, as a scientist, I noted that when it comes to compliance with the Codex, actually that compliance is very high,” he said.

He cited collaborative residue monitoring studies conducted between 2021 and 2025 involving aak-GROW, the Ministry of Health, the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB), and the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS). According to Mutai, the studies found that compliance with even the more stringent European Union residue standards reached 98 per cent for vegetables including kales, tomatoes and onions.

“What we found is that generally the compliance even to the EU MRLs was 98 per cent. Our farmers are really doing what they can irrespective of a few traces,” he said.

The industry warned that reports highlighting residue detection without explaining whether the levels exceed established safety limits could unnecessarily alarm consumers, damage confidence in locally produced food, and potentially affect Kenya’s agricultural exports.

Kenya exports fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers to several international markets, each with its own residue requirements. Compliance with the applicable standards remains a key condition for accessing export markets.

Mutai also urged farmers to continue using only pesticides registered by the Pest Control Products Board and to strictly follow label instructions, particularly the recommended pre-harvest interval between pesticide application and harvesting.

He further cautioned against counterfeit and illegal pesticides, describing them as a significant threat to food safety because they may contain banned or untested substances that have not undergone scientific evaluation.

The industry said it will continue working with regulators, licensed distributors and agrovet outlets to promote responsible pesticide use while ensuring farmers have access to genuine crop protection products and appropriate technical guidance.

As debate over pesticide residues continues, industry stakeholders are calling for food safety discussions to distinguish between the detection of residues and exceedance of scientifically established safety limits, saying both consumers and farmers deserve accurate, evidence-based information.