Dietary risk assessment of organophosphorus and dithiocarbamate pesticides in a total diet study at a Brazilian university restaurant

In this study ready-to-eat food samples were collected in the production line of the university restaurant of the University of Brasilia, Brazil, which serves non-vegetarian and vegetarian meals daily. Samples were analysed for the presence of ten organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) by GC/FPD, after extraction with ethyl acetate and anhydrous sodium sulfate (LOQ = 0.002 mg kg(-1)), and for dithiocarbamate fungicides, as CS(2), using the spectrophotometric method (LOQ = 0.05 mg kg(-1)). About 43% of the 175 samples analysed contained at least one OP compound at levels up to 1.83 mg kg(-1). Methamidophos was the compound most detected (37.7%), present in most of the soup, soybean and salad samples. No OP residues were found in fruit juice, beans and bran rice samples. The cumulative acute intake of OPs was estimated using methamidophos and acephate as index compounds (IC). The total cumulative intake represented 9.1% and 47.7% of the methamidophos ARfD for the non-vegetarian and vegetarian diets, respectively. When acephate was used as IC, the total intakes represented 20.7% and 116% of the ARfD for the non-vegetarian and vegetarian diets, respectively. Dithiocarbamates were detected in 70% of the 177 samples analysed, at levels up to 0.51 mg kg(-1) CS(2); all salad samples were positive and no residues were found in fruit juice. The chronic intake of dithiocarbamates represented 8.6 and 8.9% of the ADI (mancozeb) for the vegetarian and non vegetarian diets, respectively.     

Exposure of consumers to deoxynivalenol from consumption of white bread in Hungary

In view of the frequent occurrence of mycotoxins in cereals, a study was initiated to assess the exposure of the Hungarian adult population. Consumption data for 1360 individuals, based on a 3-day questionnaire, indicated that white bread accounted for the major intake of cereal-based products. Various cereal products were analysed for 16 mycotoxins by a LC/MS/MS multi-toxin method with LOD of 16?µg?kg^?1 and LOQ of 50?µg?kg^?1. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was most frequently detected, but no acetyl-deoxynivalenol was present in detectable concentrations. Consumer exposure was calculated with standard Monte Carlo probabilistic modelling and point estimates, taking into account bread consumption and DON contamination in independently taken wheat flour and wheat grain samples. Over 55% of cases the DON intake were below 15% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 1?µg/(kg?bw)/day. However, in 5–15% of cases, the intake from bread consumption alone exceeded the PMTDI. Wheat grain data led to the higher percentage. Intakes estimated from both data sets were at or below the acute reference dose (ARfD) of 8?µg/(kg?bw)/day in 99.94–99.97% of cases.     

Probabilistic assessment of the cumulative dietary acute exposure of the population of Denmark to organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides

Organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides are acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides and as such have a common mode of action. We assessed the cumulative acute exposure of the population of Denmark to 25 organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide residues from the consumption of fruit, vegetables and cereals. The probabilistic approach was used in the assessments. Residue data obtained from the Danish monitoring programme carried out in the period 2004–2007, which included 6704 samples of fruit, vegetables and cereals, were used in the calculations. Food consumption data were obtained from the nationwide dietary survey conducted in 2000–2002. Contributions from 43 commodities were included in the calculations. We used the relative potency factor (RPF) approach to normalize the toxicity of the various organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides to the two index compounds chlorpyriphos and methamidophos. RPF values derived from the literature were used in the calculations. We calculated the cumulative acute exposure to 1.8% and 0.8% of the acute reference dose (ARfD) of 100 µg kg^–1 body weight (bw) day^–1 of chlorpyrifos as an index compound at the 99.9th percentile (P99.5) for children and adults, respectively. When we used methamidophos as the index compound, the cumulative acute intakes were calculated to 31.3% and 13.8% of the ARfD of 3 µg kg^–1 bw day^–1 at P99.9 for children and adults, respectively. With both index compounds, the greatest contributor to the cumulative acute exposure was apple. The results show that there is no cumulative acute risk for Danish consumers to acetylcholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides.     

Probabilistic acute dietary exposure assessment of the Chinese population to cypermethrin residues

A probabilistic estimation of dietary exposure to cypermethrin residues for the Chinese population was performed. Cypermethrin residue data were obtained from the national food contamination monitoring program for 2001–2006, encompassing 14,096 samples from 36 commodities with a detection rate of 10.4%. Food consumption data were gathered from the national nutrition and health survey conducted in 2002, comprising 65,915 consumers aged 2–100 years and 3701 children of 2–6 years old. The whole country was roughly divided into six regions and the ranges of the median and of P99.9 exposure estimated for these regions were 0.018–0.026 and 3.131–7.095?µg?kg^?1?bw?day^?1, respectively. Pak-choi and Chinese cabbage contributed 33.9 and 13.2%, respectively, to the cypermethrin intake for the general population, while pak-choi and citrus covered 30.7 and 22.5% of the total intake for children, respectively. The exposure of the rural population was higher than urban populations. Rural areas mainly located in the plains of central China had among the highest exposure of the six regions, accounting for 17.7% of the ARfD at P99.9, while the 99.99th percentile of exposure for children, especially rural children, far exceeded the ARfD, which is a cause for concern.     

Organophosphorus pesticide residues in Greek virgin olive oil: levels,dietary intake and risk assessment

The occurrence of organophosphorus pesticide (OPs) and their metabolite residues was investigated in 167 samples of Greek virgin olive oil during a 2-year (2004–2005) sampling campaign. A total of 30.5% of samples contained detectable residues, although only one sample contained dimethoate residues above the maximum residue limit. Among the seven detected OPs, fenthion and fenthion sulfoxide residues were detected in 10.8 and 14.4% of the samples, respectively, at levels of 0.003–0.61 mg kg^?1. Dimethoate was detected in 10.2% of the samples at 0.003–0.057 mg kg^?1. The acute dietary risk assessment was undertaken by determining the national estimated short-term intake (NESTI); for chronic dietary risk assessment, the national theoretical maximum daily intake (NTMDI) and national estimated daily intake (NEDI) were calculated. The estimated intakes (NESTI and NEDI) of each pesticide were <7 and <0.86% of the corresponding acute reference doses (ARfDs) and acceptable daily intakes (ADIs), respectively. A cumulative risk assessment was performed using the hazard index (HI) and toxicity equivalence factor (TEF), taking into account that OPs share the same toxicological mechanism. The determined HI and TEF values were found to represent only a small portion of the respective ADIs or ARfDs. These results indicate that there is neither acute nor chronic risk for the Greek population through olive oil consumption.     

Pesticide Residue Determination by Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry as Applied to Food Safety Assessment on the Example of Some Fruiting Vegetables

A multiresidue method for the analysis of over 140 multiclass pesticides in fruiting vegetables, based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation procedure followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), was established. In the validation study, the overall recoveries from spiked samples were 102?±?7, 95?±?7, and 95?±?7 % with RSD values of 7?±?3, 7?±?4, and 7?±?3 % at the spiking levels of 0.01, 0.05, and 0.5 mg kg^?1, respectively, demonstrating fitness for purpose of the method. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01 mg kg^?1 for more than 90 % of the target compounds. The analysis of over 300 samples of tomatoes, sweet peppers, and cucumbers was carried out in 2006–2014. Of these samples, 52 % contained pesticide residues but the results of the assessment of dietary exposure supported the conclusion that the presence of pesticide residues was unlikely to have a negative effect on the health of consumers. Although some of the pesticides detected in years 2006–2009 are no longer approved in the European Union member countries (namely endosulfan, oxadixyl, procymidone, propargite, and tolylfluanid), the consumer dietary exposure was low and did not exceed 12 % of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) considering both adults’ and children’s diet. Regarding short-term exposure (acute), in only one case of procymidone in sweet pepper, the acute reference dose (ARfD) for children was exceeded by 139.6 % of the ARfD.     

Survey of sulfites in wine and various Turkish food and food products intended for export, 2007–2010

Surveys were carried out between 2007 and 2010 to determine the total levels of sulfites in 1245 samples of wines, dried apricots, dried vegetables, nuts, juices and purees, frozen foods and cereals containing dried fruit supplied by food inspectors and by food producers for testing or for export certification. Sulfite analysis of wine was carried out using the Ripper method with an LOQ of 5?mg?l^?1 and for dried and other foods the Monier-Williams distillation procedure was employed with an LOQ of 10?mg?kg^?1. In the survey all wines contained measurable sulfites, but with the exception of one sample of white wine they were otherwise below Turkish Food Codex limits of 160?mg?kg^?1 for red wine, 210?mg?kg^?1 to white wine and 235?mg?kg^?1 for sparkling wine. None of the cereal products, frozen foods, juices or purees contained sulfites above 10?mg?kg^?1. However, all dried apricot samples contained significant levels of sulfite with around 40% having levels exceeding the Turkish limit of 2000?mg?kg^?1. Significant levels of sulfite were found in other samples of dried fruit with even a fruit and nut bar containing 1395?mg?kg^?1 of sulfite, suggesting the dried fruit ingredients contained levels above regulatory limits.     

Effect of vegetarian diets on zinc status: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies in humans

Plant‐based diets contain less saturated fat and cholesterol and more folate, fibre and phytochemicals than omnivorous diets, but some micronutrients, especially zinc, are poorly bioavailable. The findings of studies exploring the zinc intake and zinc status in populations that habitually consume vegetarian diets are inconsistent. This study aims to investigate the effects of plant‐based diets on dietary zinc intake and status in humans using systematic review and meta‐analysis techniques. Thirty‐four studies were included in the systematic review. Of these, 26 studies (reporting 48 comparisons) compared males and/or females consuming vegetarian diets with non‐vegetarian groups and were included in meta‐analyses. Dietary zinc intakes and serum zinc concentrations were significantly lower (?0.88 ± 0.15 mg day^?1, P < 0.001 and ?0.93 ± 0.27 µmol L^?1, P = 0.001 respectively; mean ± standard error) in populations that followed habitual vegetarian diets compared with non‐vegetarians. Secondary analyses showed greater impact of vegetarian diets on the zinc intake and status of females, vegetarians from developing countries and vegans. Populations that habitually consume vegetarian diets have low zinc intakes and status. Not all vegetarian categories impact zinc status to the same extent, but a lack of consistency in defining vegetarian diets for research purposes makes dietary assessment difficult. Dietary practices that increase zinc bioavailability, the consumption of foods fortified with zinc or low‐dose supplementation are strategies that should be considered for improving the zinc status of vegetarians with low zinc intakes or serum zinc concentrations at the lower end of the reference range. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Estimated dietary intake of nitrite and nitrate in Swedish children

This study examines the intake of nitrate and nitrite in Swedish children. Daily intake estimates were based on a nationwide food consumption survey (4-day food diary) and nitrite/nitrate content in various foodstuffs. The mean intake of nitrite from cured meat among 2259 children studied was 0.013, 0.010 and 0.007?mg?kg^?1?body?weight?day^?1 in age groups 4, 8–9 and 11–12 years, respectively. Among these age groups, three individuals (0.1% of the studied children) exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.07?mg?nitrite?kg^?1 body weight?day^?1. The mean intake of nitrate from vegetables, fruit, cured meat and water was 0.84, 0.68 and 0.45?mg?kg^?1 body weight?day^?1 for children aged 4, 8–9 and 11–12 years, respectively. No individual exceeded the ADI of 3.7?mg?nitrate?kg^?1 body weight?day^?1. However, when the total nitrite intake was estimated, including an estimated 5% endogenous conversion of nitrate to nitrite, approximately 12% of the 4-year-old children exceeded the nitrite ADI. Thus, the intake of nitrite in Swedish children may be a concern for young age groups when endogenous nitrite conversion is included in the intake estimates.     

Organophosphorus pesticide residues in milled rice ( Oryza sativa ) on the Chinese market and dietary risk assessment

The present study investigates the occurrence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibiting organophosphorus (OP) pesticide residues in milled rice samples obtained form local markets in China during the period 2004–2006 and estimates their cumulative exposure. Concentrations of OP pesticides were determined by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection (GC–FPD). The results showed that 9.3% of the samples contained detectable residues of at least one of the seven target OP pesticides (chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, omethoate, methamidophos, parathion-methyl, parathion and triazophos) mainly used for agriculture in China, with concentrations ranging 0.011–1.756 mg kg^?1. Rice consumption data was obtained from an individual food consumption survey. Relative potency factors (RPFs) for each pesticide were calculated with methamidophos as the index compound (IC), using 1- or 2-year chronic non-observed adverse effect levels (NOAEL) for AChE inhibition, mostly in rat brain, obtained from international evaluations of pesticides. Exposure to AChE-inhibiting pesticides for the population above 7 years old at P99.9 represented 52–94.5% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) expressed as methamidophos. Estimated exposure for children aged 2–4 and 4–7 years at P99.9 were 119 and 104.3% of the ADI level, respectively. This study suggests that a yearly monitoring program for OP pesticide residues and strict implementation of the national safety standard for milled rice is necessary.     

Survey of benzoic acid in cheeses: contribution to the estimation of an admissible maximum limit

Benzoic acid and its salts are commonly used additives in the food industry. Their use is not allowed in dairy products even though they can be found naturally. In this work, 100 cheese samples were tested to establish the maximum concentration that can be considered as “natural” and, therefore, permitted in cheeses. Analyses were carried out by a validated ion chromatography method and “positive” samples were confirmed by two other HPLC methods. Benzoic acid concentrations higher than the method LOQ (8.8?mg?kg^?1) were found in 18 samples, ranging from 11.3 to 28.7?mg?kg^?1, with a mean value of 20.5?mg?kg^?1. Taking into account the distribution of benzoic acid concentrations observed in “positive” samples, it is plausible to estimate a maximum admissible limit of 40.0?mg?kg^?1 for benzoic acid in cheese. Below this value, samples can be considered “compliant”.     

Nitrate in leafy vegetables,culinary herbs,and cucumber grown under cover in Estonia: content and intake

The content of nitrate in leafy vegetables, culinary herbs, and cucumber was determined during the years 2006–2008. All samples of Estonian origin, except white cabbage, were grown under cover. Seasonal differences in nitrate concentrations were observed in lettuce and spinach. Nitrate concentrations in lettuce were 22% and those in spinach were 24% higher in winter crops compared with samples collected in summer. The mean nitrate level was 3023 mg kg^–1 for fresh lettuce and 2337 mg kg^–1 for spinach. On average, 11.6% of fresh lettuce and spinach samples nitrate concentration exceeded the maximum level specified in European Commission Regulation No. 1881/2006. The mean levels were 999 mg kg^–1 for imported iceberg lettuce and 1287 mg kg^–1 for frozen spinach, which are below the maximum European Commission limits. Parsley, dill, basil, thyme, and rucola contained high concentrations of nitrate from mean levels of 2134 mg kg^–1 for parsley up to 8150 mg kg^–1 for rucola. Mean nitrate concentrations ranged from 382 to 1115 mg kg^–1 for white cabbage and Chinese cabbage, respectively. The per capita mean daily intake of nitrates related to the consumption of leafy vegetables, culinary herbs, and cucumber for the whole Estonian population was 31.3 mg day^–1, which comprised 14.2% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI).     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated persistent organic pollutants in canned fish and seafood products: smoked versus non-smoked products

In this study, levels of several groups of environmental contaminants represented by PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers were determined in various types of canned smoked and non-smoked fish and seafood products (54 samples) obtained from the Czech market. PAHs were detected in all of the studied samples, and at least one of the target halogenated persistent organic pollutants was present above the LOQ in 85% of the samples. The levels of PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides (mainly DDTs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers found in the canned products varied in the range of 1.4–116?µg?kg^?1, 0.6–59.6?µg?kg^?1, 0.6–82.7?µg?kg^?1 and 0.1–2.1?µg?kg^?1 can content, respectively. Smoked sprats were the most contaminated fish product (n?=?12) in which the highest levels of both PAHs and persistent organic pollutants were found. In 67% of the samples of smoked sprats in oil, the level of benzo[a]pyrene exceeded the maximum level of 5?µg?kg^?1 established for smoked fish by European Union legislation. The distribution of target analytes between oil and fish fractions was also assessed. Significantly higher levels of PAHs were measured in the oil fraction.     

Content of selenium, total and inorganic arsenic and bioaccessibility of arsenic in children diets of Mexico

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intake of selenium, total and inorganic arsenic and the bioaccessibility of arsenic in diets of Mexican schoolchildren using an in vitro method. RESULTS: Total and inorganic arsenic concentrations in the diets ranged from 0.05 to 1.15 mg kg^?1 dry weight (DW) and from 0.023 to 0.088 mg kg^?1 DW respectively, while selenium levels were between 0.08 and 0.20 mg kg^?1 DW. Daily intake of total and inorganic arsenic ranged from 0.15 to 10.49 µg day^?1 kg^?1 body weight (BW) and from 0.06 to 1.11 µg day^?1 kg^?1 BW respectively, while that of selenium varied from 0.29 to 2.63 µg day^?1 kg^?1 BW. Bioaccessibility of total and inorganic arsenic ranged from 4 to 97% (mean 44 ± 21.5%) and from 33 to 97% (mean 71 ± 22.5%) respectively. CONCLUSION: Inorganic arsenic levels in the diets were low. Therefore there appears to be a low risk of adverse effects resulting from excess inorganic arsenic intake from these diets. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary exposure assessment of Danish consumers to dithiocarbamate residues in food: A comparison of the deterministic and probabilistic approach

Probabilistic and deterministic estimates of the acute and chronic exposure of the Danish populations to dithiocarbamate residues were performed. The Monte Carlo Risk Assessment programme (MCRA 4.0) was used for the probabilistic risk assessment. Food consumption data were obtained from the nationwide dietary survey conducted in 2000–02. Residue data for 5721 samples from the monitoring programme conducted in the period 1998–2003 were used for dithiocarbamates, which had been determined as carbon disulphide. Contributions from 26 commodities were included in the calculations. Using the probabilistic approach, the daily acute intakes at the 99.9% percentile for adults and children were 11.2 and 28.2 μg kg^?1 body weight day^?1, representing 5.6% and 14.1% of the ARfD for maneb, respectively. When comparing the point estimate approach with the probabilistic approach, the outcome of the point estimate calculations was generally higher or comparable with the outcome of the probabilistic approach at the 99.9 percentile (consumers only). The chronic exposures for adults and children were 0.35 and 0.76 μg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 at the 99.9 percentile, representing 0.7% and 1.5%, respectively, of the acceptable daily intake for mancozeb and maneb at 50 μg kg^?1 body weight.     

Occurrence and infant exposure assessment of nitrates in baby foods marketed in the region of Lisbon,Portugal

Commercial baby food labelled as from organic or conventional origin, including vegetable-based baby foods, fruit purees and fruit juices (n?=?80), were analysed for nitrate content by an in-house validated HPLC method. Nitrate contents ranged from 5 to 230?mg?kg^?1 with a mean concentration of 102?mg?kg^?1 for vegetable-based baby foods, and a median of 5?mg?kg^?1 for both fruit purees and juices. One sample of vegetable-based baby food was higher than the legislated value (200?mg?kg^?1). There were no significant differences between average nitrate levels in analysed samples regarding both farming systems. The estimated nitrate intake through baby foods for a mean nitrate concentration of 47?mg?kg^?1 ranged between 0.5 (15% of ADI) and 1.3?mg?kg^?1?bw?day^?1 (35% of ADI). The ADI level was exceeded (107–146% of ADI) only for the 95th and 99th percentiles of nitrate concentration.     

Elemental composition of commercial sea cucumbers (holothurians)

Toxic and essential elements in 11 different sea cucumber species were determined and compared with daily intake recommendations and maximum allowed levels. The contents of macro-elements contents in dried sea cucumber samples were found to be 25,000–152,000?mg?kg^–1 for Na, 4000–8600?mg?kg^?1 for Mg, 1100–5200?mg?kg^?1 for K, 15,000–68,000?mg?kg^?1 and 36,300–251,000?mg?kg^?1 for Cl. Trace element concentrations in dried sea cucumber samples were found to be 11–100?mg?kg^?1 for Zn, 41–660?mg?kg^?1 for Fe, 3–74?mg?kg^?1 for Cu, 1.1–16?mg?kg^?1 for Mn, 1.4–3.7?mg?kg^?1 for Se, 1.1–9.6?mg?kg^?1 for Cr, and 0.3–5.1?mg?kg^?1 for Ni. All sea cucumber species were rich sources of Na, Cl, Mg, Ca, Fe, Cu, Se and Cr for human consumption. Regarding contaminants, As, Cd and Pb concentrations in dried sea cucumbers were in the ranges of 1.1–6.1, 0.03–0.06 and 0.11–0.69?mg?kg^?1, respectively. Moreover, Hg values of 11 sea cucumbers were below the detection limit (0.01?mg?kg^?1).     

Melamine contamination in milk powder in Uruguay

Forty samples of milk powder purchased in Uruguay were analysed to assess melamine (MEL) levels. Trichloroacetic acid and acetonitrile were used to extract and precipitate milk proteins previously to clean up of the samples by solid-phase extraction and then were determined by liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ)of MEL were 0.006 and 0.019 mg kg^?1, respectively. Milk was fortified with MEL at three levels, producing average recoveries higher than 83.8%. The values for positive samples ranged from 0.017 to 0.082 mg kg^?1. Nine samples were positive. Three of them had concentrations between LOD and LOQ. The mean MEL contamination was 0.028 mg kg^?1. Consumption of milk powder containing these levels of MEL does not constitute a health risk for consumers.     

Lead concentration in meat from lead-killed moose and predicted human exposure using Monte Carlo simulation

Lead-based hunting ammunitions are still common in most countries. On impact such ammunition releases fragments which are widely distributed within the carcass. In Norway, wild game is an important meat source for segments of the population and 95% of hunters use lead-based bullets. In this paper, we have investigated the lead content of ground meat from moose (Alces alces) intended for human consumption in Norway, and have predicted human exposure through this source. Fifty-two samples from different batches of ground meat from moose killed with lead-based bullets were randomly collected. The lead content was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The lead intake from exposure to moose meat over time, depending on the frequency of intake and portion size, was predicted using Monte Carlo simulation. In 81% of the batches, lead levels were above the limit of quantification of 0.03?mg?kg^?1, ranging up to 110?mg?kg^?1. The mean lead concentration was 5.6?mg?kg^?1, i.e. 56 times the European Commission limit for lead in meat. For consumers eating a moderate meat serving (2?g?kg^?1 bw), a single serving would give a lead intake of 11?µg?kg^?1 bw on average, with maximum of 220?µg?kg^?1 bw. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the median (and 97.5th percentile) predicted weekly intake of lead from moose meat was 12?µg?kg^?1 bw (27?µg?kg^?1 bw) for one serving per week and 25?µg?kg^?1 bw (45?µg?kg^?1 bw) for two servings per week. The results indicate that the intake of meat from big game shot with lead-based bullets imposes a significant contribution to the total human lead exposure. The provisional tolerable weekly intake set by the World Health Organization (WHO) of 25?µg?kg^?1 bw is likely to be exceeded in people eating moose meat on a regular basis. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently concluded that adverse effects may be present at even lower exposure doses. Hence, even occasional consumption of big game meat with lead levels as those found in the present study may imply an increased risk for adverse health effects. Children and women of child-bearing age are of special concern due to the neurodevelopmental effects of lead.     

Field Incurred Endosulfan Residues in Fresh and Processed Vegetables and Dietary Intake Assessment

Mitigation in endosulfan residues was determined in spinach, cauliflower, potato, brinjal, tomato, and okra by using different techniques. The endosulfan residues were determined in 66 samples of different vegetables, and it was found that the highest endosulfan residues (mg kg^?1) were at the raw stage in okra (1.71), brinjal (1.50), and spinach (1.16), respectively. The residue of endosulfan was lowest in potato (0.130) mg kg^?1. Washing reduced the endosulfan residue from 15 to 28%, peeling reduced it from 60 to 67%, and cooking further lowered it from 18 to 31% in all vegetables. Dietary intake assessment revealed that only samples of okra exceeded the maximum permissible intake value at the raw stage, whereas all the other samples were below maximum permissible intake value, although some were exceeding the maximum residue limits at the raw stage.