LCMS Technology used to detect Chlormequat

Tuesday 30 November 1999

Routine analysis of some batches of organic oat products undertaken by the Pesticides Safety Directorate and confirmed by the Soil Association have been found to contain one or both of the pesticides Chlormequat and Glyphosate.

Random samples of organic oat products taken between January and May 2008 were discovered to contain these pesticides at concentrations below the Maximum Residue Level permitted by the European Union.  Both pesticides are commonly used in non-organic production of oats, but organic oats should not contain detectable levels of these pesticides.  Selling non-organic food containing pesticides at this level is legal under current food safety legislation.  However the contamination of organic products at this level means they can no longer be legally described as organic.

A UKAS accredited procedure for determining chlormequat in cereals is available at Eclipse Scientific Group, Chatteris.

Fast track turnarounds are available, and rates for services are negotiable based on numbers of samples and service required.

Please contact Eclipse Scientific Group by telephone on 0845 2309910 or international: +441354 695858 or email sales@eclipsescientific.co.uk