Are foods of the Brazilian “staple food basket” safe for consumption?

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyze the presence of pesticide residues in foods of the Brazilian “staple food basket”. Samples of refined sugar, type 1 fine long polished rice, traditional powdered coffee, type 1 white wheat flour, type 1 common black beans, and refined soybean oil were collected from supermarkets in the states of Mato Grosso, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catarina. These states are part of Region 3 of the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies on the national staple food basket. The active ingredients analyzed were the ten with the highest volume sold for each crop from 2019 to 2023, as reported by the departments of agriculture of the four states. Descriptive statistics (frequencies) were used for characterization of the variables of interest. Residues of imazapyr (Mato Grosso and Paraná) and tricyclazole (Mato Grosso, Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catarina) were detected in rice samples. Glyphosate was detected in coffee (Paraná and Mato Grosso) and flour (Paraná). Glufosinate was detected in flour in the state of Santa Catarina. Glufosinate was detected in beans in all states, in addition to glyphosate (Rio Grande do Sul) and carbendazim (Mato Grosso). Although pesticide residues remained within legal limits, it should be noted that these limits do not ensure the absence of risk. Chronic exposure, especially in vulnerable populations, and the sum of diverse food sources can increase the potential for negative health effects. Exposure reduction strategies, such as opting for low-risk or organic products and applying complementary mitigation techniques, continue to be important.