ASSESSMENT OF SYSTEMIC PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN COCOA BEANS

Multi-residue concentrations of systemic pesticides were analysed in cocoa beans sampled from the Western North region. The main objectives of the study were to assess the residue concentrations of 12 systemic insecticides, 16 systemic fungicides and 10 systemic herbicides in the sampled cocoa beans, and compare the residue concentrations detected with the European Union¿s Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of cocoa beans to ascertain whether or not it is safe to consume cocoa beans products from the Western Region. In terms of food safety as it relates to pesticide residue concentrations, cocoa beans from the Western North Region can be considered to be of good quality, and safe to consume as it poses no health risk to its consumers and will not face threat to the cocoa industry as far as shipment to Europe is concerned. Farmer education is recommended on pesticide application to prevent the accumulation of pesticide residues in cocoa beans in the future. It was suggested that a future study be conducted on the residue levels of these systemic pesticides to be determined for the nibs, shells of cocoa beans, soils of cocoa farms and water bodies close to cocoa.