EU-banned pesticides found in rice, tea and spices

64 products tested — 45 contained non-approved pesticide residues 

The laboratory tests covered rice grain, paprika powder, different types of tea, cumin seeds and curry powder.
The results are alarming:

• 49 products contained residues of one or more pesticides. 
• 45 products contained residues of pesticides not approved in the EU. 
• 14 samples contained residues above the legally allowed limit and should therefore not be on the market. 
• All tested paprika powder, chili and cumin samples contained residues of non-approved pesticides. 
• One paprika powder sample contained 22 different pesticides, including six not approved in the EU. 

Frequently detected non-approved pesticides included Chlorfenapyr, Bifenthrin, Spirotetramat, Clothianidin, Thiametoxam, Imadacloprid and Isoprothiolane.

According to official data from the European Chemicals Agency, six of these pesticides were exported from European Member States to third countries in 2024–2025.