Pesticide residue warning on passion fruit, dragon fruit

According to the Viet Nam Trade Office in France, the latest report from French authorities indicates alarming pesticide residue violation rates for Vietnamese passion fruit and dragon fruit. Without timely corrective measures, these commodities risk facing intensified controls by the European Union (EU) across the entire market.

The report "Results of Monitoring and Control of Pesticide Residues" published by the French Directorate General for Food (DGAL) in February 2026 (based on 2024 inspection data) reveals that certain imported fruits and vegetables from Viet Nam are exhibiting food safety (SPS) risks.

This report falls under the EU's coordinated control program, and its inspection results serve as a basis for the European Commission to assess risks and consider implementing appropriate control measures.

Most notably in the report is passion fruit. Of 47 samples tested, 15 exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL), resulting in a non-compliance rate of 32%, a significantly high level under EU control standards. Furthermore, a case was detected involving omethoate, an active ingredient that poses health risks to consumers.

Regarding dragon fruit, the recorded violation rate was 11% (1 out of 9 samples). Currently, Vietnamese dragon fruit is already listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 and is subject to an EU border inspection frequency of up to 50%. Continued violations may make it difficult for the EU to consider reducing the control level for this commodity in the near future.

Under EU regulations, the European Commission conducts periodic reviews of the high-risk commodity list at most every 6 months.

With a violation rate reaching 32%, Vietnamese passion fruit faces the risk of being placed on the enhanced control list or subjected to stricter import conditions.

If added to Annex I, the product will face an increased inspection frequency at EU borders, leading to prolonged customs clearance times. If added to Annex II, consignments must be accompanied by analytical test results and food safety certificates prior to export.

In reality, when these control measures are implemented, logistics, testing, and storage costs will increase significantly, while also raising the risk of delivery delays and reputational damage.

This is a technical barrier issue at the pan-EU level, not just isolated to the French market. Therefore, the Viet Nam Trade Office in France suggests that, to protect their reputation and maintain EU market access, export enterprises, cooperatives, and producers must urgently review the entire production, harvesting, preliminary processing, and packaging chain.

In addition, it is necessary to strictly control pesticide use and rigorously comply with EU MRL regulations.

Simultaneously, management agencies and industry associations need to enhance monitoring, early warning systems and technical support for businesses, especially as the EU plans to conduct subsequent reviews in the second half of 2026.