China › Tea leaves and stalks, fermented

Tea leaves and stalks, fermented from China

How often official samples of tea leaves and stalks, fermented grown in China break the EU maximum residue level for pesticides, by why the sample was taken.

In 2023, 1 of 35 EU border checks (2.9%) found a pesticide above the legal limit, while the pair was under increased EU checks (20% of consignments). The year before (2022) it was 2.6% of 38 checks. There are only 4 random market samples, too few for a market rate. The substance found above the limit most often was lambda-cyhalothrin (7 samples).

2.9%
EU border checks over the limit, 2023
35 checks
0 of 4
Random market samples over the limit
4 samples, 2020–2024
20%
Border check frequency, 2024
Reg. 2019/1793, Annex I

EU border checks by year

YearChecksOver the limitWithin uncertaintyCheck frequency in force
2020492.0%6 20% (Annex I)
20216612%7 20% (Annex I)
2022382.6%3 20% (Annex I)
2023352.9%3 20% (Annex I)
2024262 of 261 20% (Annex I)

Checks: consignments sampled at EU border posts under the increased-control regime of Reg. (EU) 2019/1793 and reported to EFSA by the member state that checked them. A percentage is shown only for years with at least 30 checks; below that, the count. "Within uncertainty": above the limit but compliant once the lab's measurement uncertainty is allowed for, not counted as over.

Substances found above the limit

SubstanceWhere foundSamplesMedian found (mg/kg)Limit applied (mg/kg)
Lambda-cyhalothrinborder checks70.0610.01
Acetamipridborder checks50.150.05
Tolfenpyradborder checks40.0870.01
Biphenylborder checks30.440.05
Dinotefuranborder checks30.110.01
Chlorpyrifosborder checks20.0350.01
Diafenthiuronborder checks20.5820.01
Difenoconazoleborder checks20.3550.05

The limit applied is the one the lab reported at the time of sampling. Limits change; check the current value in the EU Pesticides Database.

Random market samples

4 random samples (0 over the limit). That is too few for a market rate: one is shown from 30.

Also on file, never turned into a rate because inspectors chose them: 15 risk-based and 11 follow-up samples.

Testing a shipment?

The substances listed on this page are the ones that most often break the EU limit on this product from this origin. A lab panel that covers them is the cheapest way to avoid a rejection.

Residue panel for this shipment

A quote would cover at least:

  • Lambda-cyhalothrin
  • Acetamiprid
  • Tolfenpyrad
  • Biphenyl
  • Dinotefuran
  • Chlorpyrifos
  • Diafenthiuron
  • Difenoconazole

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Data

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