In the international trade of pulses, grains, seeds, pseudo-cereals and edible nuts, the quality of a raw material cannot be assessed solely through colour, size, uniformity or visual appearance.
A product may look fully compliant while containing residues or contaminants that can only be detected through specific laboratory testing. Chemical safety is therefore an essential part of supply assessment for buyers, importers, distributors and food manufacturers.
Effective risk management requires knowledge of the product’s origin, identification of the relevant hazards, verification of destination-market requirements and controls proportionate to the commodity and supply chain.
Residues and contaminants are not the same
Although the two terms are often mentioned together, residues and contaminants have different origins.
Pesticide residues are traces that may remain in or on food following the use of plant protection products during cultivation, storage or other authorised stages. Their presence does not automatically indicate non-compliance. The decisive elements are the substance detected, its measured concentration and the limit applicable to that product in the destination market.
In the European Union, Maximum Residue Levels, or MRLs, establish the highest legally tolerated concentration for a specific pesticide and product combination. These levels are governed by Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and may be updated over time. A compliance assessment performed in the past should therefore not automatically be considered valid for a new transaction.
Contaminants, on the other hand, are substances that have not been intentionally added to food. They may arise from the environment, agricultural production, harvesting, processing, packaging, transportation or storage.
Understanding this distinction is essential because it affects both risk assessment and control strategies.
Relevant risks for agricultural commodities
Mycotoxins are among the most significant hazards associated with agricultural raw materials. They are substances produced by certain moulds under particular environmental conditions. Their development may be encouraged by humidity, temperature and inadequate storage and may occur before harvest, during drying or while the commodity is being stored.
Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and fumonisins are examples of mycotoxins subject to specific limits or controls in certain food categories.
Heavy metals and other elements potentially present in soil, water or the wider environment represent another area of concern. Lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic may be relevant depending on the product and its origin.
Environmental contaminants, plant toxins and substances deriving from processing or contact with equipment and packaging may also need to be considered. Not every hazard is equally relevant to every commodity. A reliable control plan must begin with the specific combination of product, origin, processing method and destination.
The importance of maximum levels
Maximum levels are not generic values that apply equally to every product. They may vary according to the substance, food category, product form and destination market.
Within the European Union, Regulation (EU) 2023/915 establishes maximum levels for certain contaminants in food. Food exceeding an applicable maximum level must not be placed on the market or used as a food raw material or ingredient.
For an international B2B operator, compliance must therefore be assessed not only against the rules of the producing country but also against the requirements of the market where the product will be imported, processed or sold.
How origin shapes the control plan
Origin should not automatically be treated as an indication that a product is either safe or risky. Nevertheless, knowing the country, production region and agricultural system helps companies develop a more precise assessment.
Climate, soil conditions, authorised plant protection products, agricultural practices, drying methods and storage infrastructure may all affect the analytical profile of a commodity.
Commercial history is also relevant. Previous supplier analyses, earlier non-conformities, changes in the production area and seasonal variations can help determine whether controls should be intensified or adjusted.
The objective is not to apply the same analytical package to every shipment but to develop a risk-based approach.
Sampling and analysis must work together
A laboratory result is reliable only when the sample accurately represents the lot being assessed.
In large consignments, some substances may not be distributed uniformly. This is particularly relevant for contaminants such as mycotoxins, which may be concentrated in only certain parts of a shipment.
Taking a small quantity from a single point may therefore generate a result that does not reflect the condition of the full lot. The sampling plan should consider shipment size, number of packages, product type, commodity distribution and the hazard being investigated.
Following sampling, analyses should be performed by competent laboratories using suitable methods and limits of quantification appropriate to the applicable requirements.
Information to verify before purchasing
Before confirming a supply contract, buyers and importers should clearly define the product, origin, crop year, quality specifications and analytical requirements.
Relevant documentation may include a technical specification, origin declaration, traceability information, applicable certifications and a Certificate of Analysis. However, the existence of a certificate does not replace professional assessment.
Companies should verify that the document refers to the lot being purchased, that the laboratory and date are identifiable, that the tested parameters reflect the relevant hazards and that the results have been compared with the correct legal or contractual limits.
An analytical report may appear complete but still be insufficient if it does not cover the substances relevant to that commodity or destination market.
Managing a non-compliant result
When an analysis indicates that an applicable limit has been exceeded, the goods should not continue to be handled or used as though they were compliant.
The lot identity, sampling process, analytical method and applied regulatory limit should first be verified. The company must then assess the action required under applicable legislation and contractual agreements, involving qualified professionals and competent authorities where necessary.
Depending on the case, the response may include holding the goods, further testing, notification, rejection of the shipment or other corrective measures.
Prevention remains the most effective approach. Clearly defining responsibilities, specifications and conditions before shipment reduces the risk of disputes, delays, logistics costs and commercial damage.
From legal compliance to responsible supply management
Residue and contaminant controls should not be viewed merely as a documentation requirement. They are part of commercial risk management, protecting production continuity, final customers and the reputation of every business involved.
An effective approach combines product knowledge, origin assessment, supplier selection, traceability, representative sampling, targeted analysis and consistent documentation.
SAG Pulses BV operates in the international trade of pulses, grains, seeds, pseudo-cereals, edible nuts and other agri-food products, connecting production origins with destination markets.
Attention to specifications, documentation and customer requirements contributes to building transparent supply programmes tailored to the needs of the B2B market.
Are you looking for agricultural commodities for your business? Contact SAG Pulses BV to explore available origins, packaging formats and international supply solutions.
