The European Union has activated a serious food alert due to the detection of elevated levels of an insecticide in batches of nectarines originating from Spain, leading to their immediate withdrawal from the market, according to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).
The warning affects Spanish nectarines where official controls in Italy detected residues of acetamiprid, an insecticide from the neonicotinoid group, in concentrations exceeding the maximum residue limits allowed by EU legislation. Although this substance is authorised in the European Union under strict conditions, its presence above legal levels poses a chemical risk to public health.
European authorities have classified the notification as a serious risk, considering that repeated consumption of products with pesticide residues above legal thresholds can have adverse effects, especially on vulnerable groups such as children or individuals with higher sensitivity.
Following the detection, the affected batches were ordered to be withdrawn from distribution and sale channels, along with reinforced controls on similar products. The RASFF system allows for immediate sharing of these alerts among Member States to prevent non-compliant foods from continuing to circulate in the European market.
Health authorities recommend that consumers pay attention to labelling and the origin of recently purchased fruits, and follow official instructions in case more specific warnings are issued regarding specific batches.
This alert is part of an enhanced surveillance context on imported fruits and vegetables, as a significant portion of food notifications in the EU are related to the presence of pesticide residues above legal limits, detected in both border controls and the domestic market.