Screening of Pesticide Residues in Cornflakes Available on the UAE Market

Abstract

Cornflakes are a globally popular breakfast cereal, commonly consumed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Given the UAE’s dependence on imported food products, including cornflakes, ensuring the safety of consumers through vigilant monitoring of pesticide residues is crucial. Following a market screening of major UAE retail markets, this study identified 76 cornflakes stock-keeping units (SKUs) and analyzed them using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Three pesticide residues, azoxystrobin, chlorpyrifos, and tebuconazole, were detected at trace levels, all below the limit of quantification (LOQ). None of the residues exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by UAES MRL 1:2024, which follows a hierarchical approach using Codex Alimentarius (CODEX) and European Union (EU) MRLs. The detection of chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide, and the fungicides azoxystrobin and tebuconazole, reflects their widespread agricultural use, yet their low levels demonstrate the impact of food processing steps, such as milling, extrusion, and toasting, and effective regulatory oversight. These findings indicate that cornflakes available in the UAE market are safe with respect to pesticide residues, though routine surveillance remains essential.

Keywords: CornflakesFood, safetyLC–MS/MS, analysisPesticide, residuesQuEChERS, extractionRisk, assessment.