Macadamia nut program 2008-2009

Overview

The National Residue Survey (NRS) was originally established in 1961 to measure pesticide residues in exported meat. Today, NRS tests for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and environmental contaminants in 22 animal and 26 plant commodities including five horticultural products. Since 1993, NRS has operated on full cost recovery, and is funded principally by levies from participating industries.

The Australian Government provides funding for NRS national and international residue commitments that provide benefits for the community, for industry and for government programs. More information about the National Residue Survey.

Since initial participation of the macadamia industry through the Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) in 1996, 1 745 macadamia nut samples have been tested for residues in the NRS random residue testing program. The program is funded by a macadamia industry levy of 0.63 cents per kilogram of kernel produced.

The macadamia industry has achieved 100% compliance with Australian Standards over the past 13 years through strong quality assurance programs stipulating the appropriate use of agricultural chemicals according to good agricultural practice.

The residue monitoring program results assure AMS customers of the residue integrity of Australian macadamias.

Sampling

In close cooperation with AMS, sampling arrangements, the choice of chemicals to be tested within the residue testing screen, liaison with industry and reporting procedures are reviewed annually upon completion of each year’s sampling, and appropriate adjustments made as necessary.

Samples are collected from eleven processing plants located in New South Wales and Queensland. In cooperation with AMS and the macadamia nut processing plants, NRS organises two sampling rounds per year in September/October and April/May. NRS contacts each processing plant prior to each sampling round to coordinate sampling within specific timeframes.

Each sample of approximately 1 kg of kernel is collected by quality assurance staff at the processing plants, in accordance with NRS procedures and protocols. The kernels are packaged in NRS bags and freighted to the contract laboratory. Results are sent electronically from the laboratory to NRS, where the data is collated and compiled for industry and government use. NRS designs and manages the sampling, and contracts external providers for operational functions such as laboratory services, supply and distribution of sampling materials, and freight.

Chemical screen 2008-2009

The purpose of the random monitoring program is to confirm the residue status of the sampled produce, as specified by the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code).

Samples are tested against an agreed chemical screen that is developed in consultation with AMS. If any sample shows a positive result for a chemical, further confirmatory testing is carried out. Any sample found to contravene the Code is referred to the relevant jurisdiction for traceback investigation under its ‘control of use’ legislation.

The chemicals listed in the table below include those that may be used in macadamia nut production in Australia, as well as those that may be important in terms of international trade. In 2008–2009, 204 samples were collected and tested for the chemicals shown in the
table below. Sub-samples of the original samples were also analysed for herbicides and metals as shown below.

Residue testing results 2008-2009

All 204 macadamia nut samples were 100% compliant with Australian Standards.

Laboratory performance evaluation and proficiency testing

NRS contracts analytical laboratories to perform the relevant residue analyses. Laboratories are proficiency tested in order to ensure the validity of analytical results.

NRS continues to be an accredited provider of proficiency testing schemes. Accreditation ensures that the NRS proficiency testing system is recognised within the laboratory community as meeting internationally accepted standards and having the ability to establish the technical competence of participating laboratories.

International maximum residue limits

In consultation with the Australian Macadamia Society, NRS has maintained its international MRL tables for countries that are major export markets for Australian macadamia nuts. These tables can be found on the NRS website.

Contacts

General enquiries

Phone: +61 (02) 6272 3187
Fax: +61 (02) 6272 4023
Email: National Residue Survey

Postal address:
National Residue Survey
GPO Box 858
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia

Director, National Residue Survey

Manager, plant residue testing program