Occurrence and trends of fluorinated pesticides in food commodities marketed in Luxembourg (2011–2024)

This study investigated fluorinated pesticide residues in food commodities marketed in Luxembourg, focusing on substances listed in the European Chemicals Agency's Annex XV Restriction Report Proposal as potential precursors of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent degradation product of concern. From 6,034 samples collected between 2011 and 2024, 48.1% contained quantifiable residues, with fluorinated compounds detected in 12.3% of the samples. Tea (65.3%) and dried fruits (45.6%) showed the highest contamination rates. Detection rates of fluorinated pesticide residues rose from 9.6% of the samples in 2011 to 26.8% in 2024. In 18 cases (1.8%) EU maximum residue limits (MRLs) were exceeded. Thirty-one distinct fluorinated pesticides were identified, with six compounds, fluopyram, lambda-cyhalothrin, trifloxystrobin, bifenthrin, fluopicolide, and flonicamid accounting for nearly 80% of the detections, all being considered potential precursors of TFA. These findings underline the need for continued monitoring and regulatory attention to limit environmental and health risks from TFA formation.