Pesticide Residue Testing for Fresh Produce in the UK
Ensure food safety, protect consumer health, and meet UK & international compliance standards with professional pesticide testing services. At Tentamus QTS Analytical, we offer rapid and reliable pesticide residue testing for fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs, helping you stay compliant with MRLs, avoid costly recalls, and build trust with retailers and regulators.
Why Pesticide Testing for Fresh Produce Is Essential
Fresh produce is often treated with pesticides to control pests and diseases during farming. However, residues must remain within legal safety limits, known as Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). Exceeding these limits — or the presence of unapproved chemicals — can result in:
- Regulatory action from the HSE
- Product recalls
- Rejected shipments
- Loss of retailer contracts
Our pesticide testing service helps growers, importers, packers, and retailers verify that their fresh produce is safe, legal, and market-ready.
What We Test For
We conduct multi-residue screening for over 400 pesticide compounds, from groups including:
- Organochlorine
- Organophosphate
- Organonitrogen
- Triazine
- Carbamate
- Triazole
- Dicarboximide
- Strobiluron
- Pyrethroid and more
Our Approach
At Tentamus QTS Analytical, we offer a comprehensive and streamlined pesticide residue screening service that consolidates traditionally separate tests for post-harvest treatments — saving you time and cost without compromising on quality.
We deliver results with an impressive reporting limit of 0.01 mg/kg (10 ppb) and lower in some cases, meeting the stringent requirements of both UK and international regulatory bodies. Whether you need rapid screening or routine testing, our flexible turnaround options are designed to suit your schedule:
- Express 12-hour service for urgent testing needs (same day)
- Express 24-hour service for urgent testing needs (next day)
- Standard 3–5 working day service for routine compliance (more than 98% are reported on Day 3).
- Weekend Service Option Available - with additional fee
With highly accurate, UKAS/ISO 17025-accredited analysis using advanced LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS technology, Tentamus QTS Analytical is your trusted partner in ensuring produce safety, MRL compliance, and supply chain confidence.
Benefits of Our Testing Services
- Fast turnaround times
- UKAS accredited analyses
- Customised pesticide panels
- Pre-export and import clearance testing
- Expert guidance on regulatory compliance
Additional Testing Available
Combine pesticide testing with:
- Microbiological Testing (Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria)
- Heavy Metal Testing (Lead, Cadmium, Mercury)
- Allergen Testing
- Nutritional Analysis
- Norovirus & Hep A Screening (for leafy greens, berries)
Get Started with Pesticide Testing Today
Whether you need routine surveillance, pre-harvest analysis, or pre-export screening, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us using our contact form and we will get back to you in time!