Monitoring and risk profiling of eight pesticides in livestock products

• GC-MS/MS method were developed for analyzing 8 pesticides in livestock products. • Comprehensive risk profiling conducted for muscle, fat and by-products like liver and kidneys. • Monitoring results indicate no detectable pesticide residues in 308 domestic samples. • Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs)were proposed based on international standards and dietary burden data. • Findings support the implementation of Korea’s Positive List System (PLS) for enhanced food safety. This study investigates pesticide residues in livestock products, focusing on eight environmentally persistent or internationally banned pesticides: chlordane, chlorpyrifos-methyl, endosulfan, endrin, fenpropathrin, lindane, pirimicarb, and bifenthrin. A validated GC-MS/MS method was developed to analyze pesticide residues in muscle, fat, liver, kidneys, and by-products of cattle and poultry. Among 308 samples collected nationwide, none contained detectable pesticide residues, indicating minimal soil contamination or misuse of pesticides in Korea. Estimated Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) were proposed for livestock products based on international reports and dietary burden data. Hazard Quotient (HQ) analysis confirmed the safety of most pesticides under the proposed limits, with the exception of chlordane and endrin, which require stricter regulation. The findings support the implementation of Korea’s Positive List System (PLS) and provide critical insights for establishing pesticide residue standards in livestock products to enhance food safety.