Efeito do processamento industrial e doméstico de alimentos nos níveis de resíduos de agrotóxicos

Abstract

Pesticide residues in food pose a great risk to public health due to the harmful effects they can cause. Due to the use of pesticides in food production, as well as through environmental contamination, residues can be found in fresh, cooked and processed foodstuffs. Most food is consumed after industrial or household processing, such as washing, peeling, thermal treatments and sterilization. Several studies have shown that these procedures may, in some cases, reduce residue levels. The efficiency of residues removal depends on the processing involved and the physicochemical properties of pesticides, such as stability and interaction with food. This review aims to highlight the results of studies on the effects of various processes on the levels of pesticide residues in different food, especially the removal efficiency of the compounds. This information is useful to assess the possibility of minimizing the risk of consumer exposure to pesticide residues in foods, becoming an important tool for food safety.