Is Zero Residual equivalent to Organic

Chemicals like pesticides, antibiotics and hormones are generally used in farming to increase production and ensure sufficient food for the growing population. No doubt that the use of pesticides can significantly increase crop production, but they are also toxic chemicals made to kill agricultural pests and some of them can cause problems if they are consumed by people. As chemicals are so extensive in conventional farming, it is no surprise that chemical residues remain in fresh fruit and vegetables that we eat.

Recently, the Sicural lab of Italy has suggested a Zero Residual solution to the food chains. Several Italian and foreign MMR chains demand the so-called ‘Zero Residual’, as was confirmed by researchers from the Sicural Lab. First of all, it is crucial to specify what we are talking about.  

A ‘Zero Residual’ occurs when the chemical principles of a given analyzed produce are below the instrumental detection threshold of 0.01 mg/kg. Therefore, it is way lower than the limits imposed by law. 

Zero Residual is not equal to organic. This could mislead a customer, who might think that these products have not been treated.  Maverik Bezzi and Giusy Riciputi, “For the Zero Residual, we can use molecules accepted by law in order for the active principles not to leave residuals detectable by the tools. According to the customer’s needs, and thanks to our laboratory experience, we can study the decaying time of several molecules”. 

Silvia Zuccarelli, “Sicural can detect traces even below the 0.01 mg/kg thanks to advanced technology – the result of years of investment on the research”. 

Boasting the Zero Residual can be an excellent way to stand out in the European MMR. However, it is necessary, on the one hand, to be supervised by a qualified technician and on the other hand, it is crucial to rely on a laboratory with great experience and one equipped with high-level tools. 

Further, Sicural can input the analysis data directly into the Fruit Monitoring and QS platforms, depending on the customers’ and MMRs’ demands.