EU
European Union
Regulation (EC) No 396/2005
Strict MRLs for each pesticide and crop. Where no specific MRL exists, a default limit of 0.01 mg/kg applies.
Pesticide residue testing
Pesticide residue and MRL testing for export and FSSAI
We screen your food and agricultural products for 600+ pesticides by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS and compare the results with EU, US, Codex and FSSAI maximum residue limits, so your lot clears the buyer and the border.
Pesticide residue testing lab
What is pesticide residue testing?
Pesticide residue testing is the laboratory measurement of traces of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides left in food or crops, compared with the maximum residue limit (MRL) allowed by the regulator or importing country.
Accurate Universal Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. tests spices, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, tea and processed foods using multi-residue methods on LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. More than 600 pesticide residues are covered in our accredited scope.
Exporters use our MRL test reports and certificates to meet EU, US and Gulf requirements, and food businesses use them to comply with FSSAI limits and buyer specifications.
Shipping a lot soon?
Test residues before the container is loaded, not after a rejection.
Importance of residue analysis
Ensuring product safety and regulatory compliance
Residues above the limit are the most common reason Indian food exports are rejected or flagged in the EU. Testing each lot before shipment protects your buyer relationships and your reputation.
Testing parameters
Pesticide groups we test
One multi-residue analysis covers all the main pesticide classes. Polar pesticides that need separate methods can be added.
- 600+pesticides in scope
- LC & GCMS/MS instruments
- EUUS, Codex & FSSAI MRLs
| Test | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Organophosphorus Pesticides | Chlorpyrifos, profenofos, quinalphos; widely used with strict EU limits |
| Organochlorine Pesticides | Older persistent compounds that remain in soil and crops |
| Pyrethroid Pesticides | Cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin; common on spices and vegetables |
| Carbamate Pesticides | Carbendazim and related compounds; frequent EU notifications |
| Herbicide Residue Analysis | Weed-control residues in cereals and pulses |
| Fungicide Residue Analysis | Triazoles, tricyclazole and others used in growing and storage |
| Multi-Residue Screening | One test covering hundreds of residues for export lots |
| Polar Pesticide Residue Analysis | Compounds such as glyphosate that need dedicated methods |
| Trace Level Residue Detection | Residues at the very low levels set by EU and other MRLs |
| 600+ Pesticide Residues covered in our Accredited Scope | Broad coverage for export and FSSAI compliance |
Need a specific list for your buyer, such as an EU or Japanese panel? Send it to us and we'll confirm coverage.
Get a quote for pesticide residue testing
Share your product, destination and buyer's list. We'll confirm the panel and price.
MRLs by market
Residue limits differ by destination
The same lot can pass in one market and fail in another. We report results against the limits of the market you name.
US
United States
EPA tolerances, 40 CFR Part 180
Tolerances are set by the EPA; a residue with no tolerance for that commodity is not permitted.
IN
India – FSSAI
Contaminants, Toxins and Residues Regulations, 2011
MRLs for pesticides on foods sold in India, used for domestic compliance and FSSAI product testing.
CDX
Codex Alimentarius
International food standards
Codex MRLs are used by many importing countries that do not set their own limits.
GCC
Gulf countries
GSO standards
Gulf markets apply their own MRL lists, often referencing Codex and EU values.
How it works
From sample to MRL report in five steps
- Step 1
Share your requirement
Tell us the product, purpose and market. We recommend the right tests and send a quotation.
- Step 2
Send the sample or book pickup
Courier a sealed sample to our Ahmedabad or Rajkot laboratory, or book a sample pickup.
- Step 3
Laboratory analysis
Samples are extracted with multi-residue methods and analysed on LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS with quality controls.
- Step 4
Accredited report
Results for each detected residue, compared with the MRLs of your chosen market.
- Step 5
Technical support
Our team explains the results and advises on next steps if a value is out of limit.
Industries we serve
Supporting food, agriculture and export industries
Residue testing matters at every stage, from farm procurement to the export container.
- Spice exporters
- Fruit & vegetable exporters
- Grain & cereal industry
- Food manufacturing companies
- Agriculture industry
- Processed food industry
- Tea & beverage industry
- Import & export traders
Not sure which MRLs apply?
Tell us your market and we'll report against the right limits.
FAQs
Pesticide Residue Testing: common questions
What is pesticide residue testing?
It is the laboratory measurement of pesticide traces left in food or crops, compared with the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by FSSAI or the importing country. It shows whether a lot is safe and legal to sell or export.
What is an MRL?
A maximum residue limit (MRL) is the highest level of a pesticide residue legally allowed in a food, usually expressed in mg/kg. MRLs are set per pesticide and per crop by regulators such as FSSAI, the EU and Codex.
How many pesticides do you test?
More than 600 pesticide residues are covered in our accredited scope, analysed by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS. Polar pesticides such as glyphosate need a separate method and can be added on request.
Which technique is used for pesticide residue analysis?
We use multi-residue extraction followed by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS, which can detect and confirm hundreds of pesticides at very low concentrations in a single analysis.
Is MRL testing mandatory for export?
Most importing countries enforce MRLs at the border, and many buyers and export schemes require a residue test report for each lot. Testing before shipment is the best way to avoid rejections.
Why are residues still present after washing?
Systemic pesticides are absorbed inside the plant, so washing only removes residues on the surface. That is why produce must be tested, not just cleaned.
How much does pesticide residue testing cost?
The cost depends on the product and whether you need a full multi-residue screen or specific pesticides. Share your requirement and we will send an itemised quotation.
Is Accurate Universal Laboratories accredited for this testing?
Yes. Our Ahmedabad laboratory is accredited by NABL to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (certificate TC-5021) and our Rajkot laboratory under certificate TC-7988. The tests and products covered are listed in our scope of accreditation, and we confirm whether your parameters are within scope before testing.
Still have a question about residue testing?
Talk to our residue chemists about MRLs, methods or a failed result.
Related services
Tests that often go with residue testing
Get a quotation
Looking for reliable pesticide residue testing?
Tell us the product, destination market and any buyer specification. We'll reply with the right panel, turnaround time and an itemised quotation.
- Call us+91 90330 44571
- WhatsAppChat with our team
- Emailinfo@accurateuniversal.com
- Accredited test report
- Clear guidance on the right tests
- Support from our technical team
Standards and regulatory references
- EU Pesticides Database – maximum residue levels
- Codex Alimentarius – pesticide residue limits
- FSSAI – Contaminants, Toxins and Residues Regulations, 2011
- US EPA – pesticide tolerances (40 CFR Part 180)
Standards and limits change; we confirm the current requirements for your product and market at the time of testing.