German authorities have withdrawn a batch of Moroccan peppers from the market due to excessive pesticide residues, according to a European Commission report dated March 21, 2025. The peppers were transported to Germany via Spanish operators, as reported by Hortoinfo. Laboratory tests detected Abamectin concentrations ranging from 0.12 mg/kg to 0.29 mg/kg, exceeding the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.03 mg/kg. The European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) classified this finding as serious. Abamectin is a pesticide used to combat insects and mites, working through ingestion and contact to cause paralysis and death in pests. However, it can be toxic to humans, potentially causing nervous system depression, vomiting, tremors, lethargy, and, at high doses, fatal respiratory failure. Due to its potential health risks, exposure to Abamectin—whether through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact—is strictly regulated in Europe, particularly because of its long persistence in the environment.
