Organic food stands for sustainability, environmental friendliness, and a natural production process. EU regulations for organic farming prohibit the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and prescribe clear production methods. However, laboratory analyses occasionally detect traces of such substances in organic products.

The fact that organic food is defined by its production method rather than compliance with specific residue limits highlights an important point: The complete absence of pesticide residues cannot be guaranteed. But how can residues end up in organic products?

1. Drift from neighboring fields
A common issue is drift—the unintentional transport of pesticides by wind. If a conventional farmer near an organic farm sprays pesticides, tiny particles can be carried by air currents onto organic crops. This is especially problematic with volatile substances or spraying under windy conditions.

2. Ubiquitous environmental contamination
Some pesticides are so persistent that they remain detectable in the environment years or even decades after their ban. Chlorinated organic compounds like Lindane are well known for this. These substances can remain in the soil and be absorbed by plants or spread through water into agricultural irrigation systems.

Organic farms operating on former conventional land are particularly affected. Regular soil analyses and careful site selection are crucial to minimizing contamination.

3. Cross-contamination during storage and transport
Another risk arises in processing and logistics. Organic and conventional products must be strictly separated, but sometimes unintended contamination occurs through:

Shared transport routes, storage in the same facilities, or contaminated machines in processing plants.

Strict separation strategies and thorough cleaning of machines and storage areas are necessary. Companies implement extensive quality assurance systems to minimize risks.

4. Unauthorized use due to mistakes or fraud
Although rare, there have been cases where non-approved pesticides were used on organic farms—either through ignorance or intentional rule violations.

Such violations are usually detected quickly during strict inspections. Organic farms undergo annual and often unannounced audits by state-certified control bodies.

Since organic products are defined by their production process rather than residue limits, organic farms must implement various measures to minimize contamination.

Legal regulations and quality assurance

Regulation (EC) No. 889/2008 and the updated Regulation (EC) No. 2018/848 require all businesses in the organic sector to take appropriate precautions to minimize contamination risks. These include: Separation of conventional and organic products during storage and transport, internal controls with regular sampling and residue testing, and preventative measures against drift, such as buffer zones or cooperation with neighboring farmers.

Since EU regulations do not specify strict pesticide residue limits for organic products, the German Association for Organic Processors, Wholesalers, and Retailers (BNN) has introduced the BNN Guidance Value.

This states: A maximum of 0.01 mg/kg for each detected substance in unprocessed products. No more than two pesticides can be detected in total. If this value is exceeded, an investigation must determine the cause.

The BNN Guidance Value is not an official limit but serves as a benchmark for evaluating residue findings.

Consumers who want to ensure that their organic products are as residue-free as possible can follow these tips: