The most serious risk came from pears imported into Germany from Italian exporter Pan Egidio which exceeded the MRL for chlormequat. The acute risk assessment indicated that the level of residues might cause a mild stomach upset in toddlers who ate a large amount of the affected fruit.

All remaining stock was recalled and destroyed by the authorities, but the FPC has warned importers to continue to be vigilant on the issue of chlormequat in pears. 'This problem has not gone away,' said the consortium in a statement.

The other alerts were issued in regard to peppers imported into Germany from Greece and Spain. Yellow peppers and yellow Corno peppers from exporters E&T Perakakis OE, and Gra Ligialerapetra of Crete were found to contravene guidelines for pesticide residues and stocks were removed from sale and destroyed.

And samples of red peppers, orange peppers and mixed peppers from exporters Fa Chata El Ejido, Agro Iris and Alhondiga La Maba Hortofruticola were found to exceed MRLs for chlormequat and one sample also had residues of lufenuron. Stocks of the products were destroyed although there were no unacceptable acute of chronic risks to consumers.

'Importers should check carefully with their suppliers to ensure that all their pesticide usage for peppers is in conformity with the EU regulations,' said the FPC. 'Peppers have appeared on the EU rapid alert system before for methamidophos.'

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