DETAILS OF the UK‘s first next day service for testing pesticide residues in fresh produce have been produced by the Central Science Laboratory (CSL).

Due to become available later this month, the service will offer a significant reduction on the five to ten days needed in standard residue testing, said the CSL‘s Steve Brewer.

“Time is of the essence in obtaining pesticide residue results, and is particularly critical when a rapid response is needed in the wake of a pesticide product recall situation,” he said.

“The new service is aimed mainly at emergency cases, where a customer has had a product identified as containing pesticide residues, or where products coming into the country need to be tested.”

No final cost for the service has been announced, although because it is a premium service, charges are likely to be 80-100% above standard tests, he said.

Seven different testing methods will be available, allowing screening for 90% of pesticides in fresh produce – the standard testing range, organisers said.