What is the Food Residues Survey Programme (FRSP)?
The FRSP tests plant-based foods sold in New Zealand for agricultural chemicals. It is one of the ways New Zealand Food Safety checks that regulatory requirements are effective.
These requirements are based on identification and management of risks to ensure these foods are safe and suitable. The results provide confidence that the use of agricultural chemicals meets requirements.
How does the FRSP work?
The FRSP focuses on testing New Zealand-grown and imported foods that people commonly eat. Representative samples of these foods are collected from retail and distribution outlets in New Zealand and tested.
What does the FRSP test for?
The FRSP tests for agricultural chemicals in these foods. This includes agricultural chemicals approved for use in New Zealand as well as those that may be used on imported foods.
Most samples are tested for more than 400 agricultural chemicals. The results are assessed against maximum residue levels (MRLs).
About maximum residue levels (MRLs) for agricultural compounds (ACVM)
What happens if a result does not meet requirements?
If a test result exceeds a relevant MRL, New Zealand Food Safety will:
- assess whether there is any risk to people's health
- trace the food that was sampled and tested back to the grower or importer
- work to find the cause and improve compliance through education
- work with industry groups and other government agencies if wider issues are identified.
FRSP results and reports
MPI publishes annual sampling plans and summary reports. These explain how sampling and testing are carried out and provide the latest results.
Stay up-to-date.
You can subscribe to receive updates about the Food Residues Survey Programme.
On our subscription page, select 'Food Act 2014' from the list under 'email update topics'.
Contact us
If you have questions about the FRSP, email info@mpi.govt.nz.