GCC STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION (GSO)  
 
 Final  : Draft  
 
 
GSO TC5/SC2 / FDS …./2013  
 
 
Maximum limits for pesticide residues and Contamina nts  In 
Organic Food  
 
 
 
Prepared by 
Gulf Technical subcommittee for Food additives and contaminants
 
 
 
This document is a draft GSO Standard circulated for comments. It is, therefore, 
subject to alteration and modification and may not be referred  to as a GSO 
Standard until approved by GSO.  Gulf  Standard GSO ……/2013  
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TC5/SC2
 
 
 
Foreword  
 
GCC Standardization Organization (GSO) is a regional Organization which consists of the 
National Standards Bodies of GCC member States. One of GSO main functions is to issue 
Gulf Standards /Technical regulations through specialized technical committees (TCs).  
 
GSO through the technical program of committee TC No  TC5/SC2 "Technical  Gulf 
subcommittee for food additives and Contaminants  " has prepared this Standard. The Draft 
has been prepared by ( Republic of Yemen ). 
The draft Standard has been prepared based on relevant ADMO, International and Nat ional 
foreign Standards and references.  
 
This standa rd has been approved as a Gulf Standard by GSO Board of Directors in its meeting 
No.(  ),held on/ / H , / / G.  Gulf  Standard GSO ……/2013  
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 Maximum limits  for pesticide residues and Contaminants  In Organic Food  
1 Scope  
 
This Gulf standard provides maximum residue limits of pesticides and contaminants 
are allowed in organic food.  
  
2 Complementary Standards  
 
2.1  GSO CAC/GL 32  " Production, Processing, Labeling and Marketing of Organically 
Produced Foods ". 
2.2  GSO 382 " Maximum  limits for pesticide residues in agricultural food product ".  
2.3  GSO CAC 193"  General standard for contaminants and toxins ".  
2.4  Standard will adopted by GSO   Sampling for  " Determination of Pesticide Residues in 
Food and Agricultural Products  ". 
 
 
3 Defin itions  
 
3.1 It shall be considered definitions are mentioned in Gulf standard is mentioned in sub 
clause (2.1 ). 
3.2 Pesticide residues   
Residues including active substances and products of metabolic processes and / or 
products cracking or reaction products  of active substances used for plant protection 
products . 
 
4 The limits and calculation method  
 
4.1 According for Gulf standard for is mentioned in sub clause (2.1) Prohibits  the use of 
pesticides in organic production, but that in the case of the effects as a result of 
pollution it shall not exceed the maximum permitted for any pesticide residue in the 
organic food 0.01 mg / kg and taking into the way account is mentioned in sub clause 
(4.3). 
That these pesticides are permitted in accordance with Gulf stan dards and in the case 
of pesticides, which have a limit less than 0.01 mg/kg in the previous references, it 
shall be taken for at least . 
And when the maximum limit of pesticides (0.01) mg/kg, it shall be notified of 
inspection and certification to take nec essary procedures in this regard  
4.2  It does not permit write down the phrase" organic food " on any product with more 
than to pesticide maximum in side limit (0.01 ) mg/kg that if the product contains three 
or more pesticides and all within maximum limit (0.01 ) mg /kg is not written by the 
phrase "organic food" . Gulf  Standard GSO ……/2013  
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 4.3  Calculation Method  
4.3.1  In the fresh or raw products   
Apply the following equation  
(Reading laboratory +  50%   ×Reading laboratory ) ≥ 0.01 ≤ (laboratory reading - 50% 
× Reading laboratory ) 
Example : 
Reading laboratory for fresh product (e.g. cucumber) for pesticide residue is 0.025 mg 
/ kg for the application of the equation  . 
( 0.025  ×%50 – 0.025    )   ≥ 0.01 ≤ ( 0.025  ×%50  + 0.025)  
 ≥ 0.01 ≤ 0.03.5  0.0125  
Result : 
Cucumber isn't considered an organic product option in this case because the rate of 
pesticide residue ± 50% more than 0.01 mg/kg  
4.3.2  Dried, diluted or concentrated products  . 
Takes into the following : 
a. It shall be taking the dehydration factor, dilution factor and concentration 
coefficient factor also according for the tables so special  . 
Example : 
Dried basil Sample determined certain pesticide residue were it found 0.07 mg / kg 
and that's where dehydration factor for basil plants is 7 so in this case 7 ÷ 0.07 = 0.01 
mg / kg . 
b. Apply the equation  
(Reading laboratory + 50%  × Reading laboratory ) ≥ 0.01 ≤ (laboratory reading - 50% 
× laboratory reading ) 
( 0.01  ×%50 - 0.01 )  ≥ 0.01 ≤ ( 0.01  ×%50  + 0.01)  
0.005   ≥ 0.01 ≤ 0.015  
4.4  Residues of contaminants   
It shall not be exceed maximu m limits permitted for contaminants in the organic 
product as limits are mentioned in Gulf standard in sub clause (2.2) and taking into 
any amendments there to it.  
 
5 Testing Methods  
 
Pesticide residues and contaminants is determined in organic food in lab oratories 
accredited according with the test methods are mentioned in Gulf standard adopted in 
this regard . Gulf  Standard GSO ……/2013  
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 Reference  
 
1- Egyptian Standard  No (7333/2011 ) "Organic  Products Maximum Limits of 
Pesticides Residues and Heavy Metals  ." 
2- CAC Standard 193 " General Standard for Contaminates and Toxins".