Screening of Pesticide Residues in Cornflakes Available on the UAE Market
| dc.contributor.author | Alwan, Nisreen | |
| dc.contributor.author | Hassan, Hussein | |
| dc.contributor.author | Jammoul, Adla | |
| dc.contributor.author | Khazaal, Salma | |
| dc.contributor.author | El Darra, Nada | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-02-12T05:30:46Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-02-12T05:30:46Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description | The global consumption of cereal-based food products is steadily increasing. Among these are cornflakes, which are widely consumed and recognized as important sources of energy and essential nutrients (Hassan et al., 2017, Dimassi et al., 2020, Elrahi et al., 2023). In the UAE, cornflakes are increasingly popular due to urbanization, changing dietary habits, and effective marketing strategies emphasizing health benefits (Ng et al., 2011, Benvenuto, 2018, Parra-Murillo et al., 2021, Ali et al., 2022, Al Sabbah et al., 2023). The UAE’s food system is highly import-dependent because of extreme climatic conditions and limited arable land, making it one of the region’s largest net food importers. A wide range of commodities enters via Dubai ports from countries such as India, Egypt, France, Germany, Spain, and Poland (FAO, 2017, PMA, 2020). As these imported commodities are produced under different agricultural practices worldwide, including different levels of pesticide use, concerns arise about the potential presence of residues in food products sold in the UAE (Osaili et al., 2022). | |
| dc.description.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. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | El Darra, N., Khazaal, S., Jammoul, A., Hassan, H. F., & Alwan, N. (2025). Screening of Pesticide Residues in Cornflakes Available on the UAE Market. Journal of Food Protection, 100681. | |
| dc.identifier.doi | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100681 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.adu.ac.ae/handle/1/8194 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Elsevier B.V. | |
| dc.title | Screening of Pesticide Residues in Cornflakes Available on the UAE Market | |
| dc.type | Article |