Pesticide risk on Shine Muscat grapes: A safety concern
Shine Muscat grapes, a luxury fruit from Japan, are popular for their sweet, juicy, crisp taste and seedless convenience. However, Thailand recently found high pesticide residue levels on its imported Shine Muscat grapes. Could they pose a risk to our health?
Recently, the Indonesian public was alarmed by news from Thailand about excessive pesticide residues in Shine Muscat grapes, sparking health concerns across the region. The Thai Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN) revealed high levels of pesticide (above 0,01 mg/kg) residues in most samples tested, prompting the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to release lab findings on October 24. The TCC purchased 24 grape samples from various sources, including online stores, fruit shops, fresh markets, and supermarkets. Of these samples, nine were confirmed as imports from China, while the origins of the other 15 were undetermined. Test results showed that 23 of 24 samples had pesticide levels exceeding the legal safety limit of 0,01 mg/kg, including one sample with chlorpyrifos, a banned insecticide. Additionally, 22 samples had other harmful chemicals (e.g. triasulfuron, cyflumetofen, tetraconazole, and fludioxonil) above safe limits, with a total of 50 different pesticide residues detected, 22 of which are not yet regulated in Thailand.
These findings raised concerns among neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Both Malaysia and Singapore reported no excessive pesticide residues in their imported Shine Muscat grapes and assured the public of their safety with continued monitoring.
In response, the Indonesian National Food Agency (NFA, Badan Pangan Nasional/Bapanas) conducted rapid tests on Shine Muscat grapes nationwide from October 29-30, 2024, analyzing 187 samples from 18 provinces and 42 cities across various sources, including importers, traditional markets, and retailers. The rapid tests indicated that 90% of samples were pesticide-free, while the remaining 10% contained residues within safe limits, confirming their safety for consumption.
Why does this matter?
Shine Muscat grapes are popular for their smooth and thin skin and seedless flesh, which makes them easy to consume. The skin has a neutral flavor, perfectly complementing the grape’s sweetness and mild taste. With low acidity, these grapes offer a refreshing treat that appeals to consumers seeking a touch of luxury.
However, recent findings from Thailand have raised food safety concerns surrounding these and other in-demand imports to Indonesia. Different agricultural practices and regulatory standards in exporting countries mean that these fruits are often grown involving pesticides to boost yields and protect crops from pests like insects, weeds, and fungi which may not align with Indonesia’s safety limit. In fact, pesticide residues in some imports may exceed Indonesia’s limit of 0.015 mg/kg per day, potentially exposing consumers to serious health risks, including neurotoxicity, cancer, necrosis, asthma, reproductive disorders, cardiac disease, and endocrine disruption linked to obesity and diabetes.
Excessive pesticide use poses serious environmental risks by contaminating air, soil, and water, harming ecosystems, and directly impacting wildlife, both through exposure and consumption. Pesticides often drift beyond their intended targets, leach into soil, or wash into water sources during rainfall. This runoff contaminates rivers, lakes, and groundwater, threatening aquatic life by reducing oxygen levels and affecting species throughout the food chain–from algae to fish. Pesticides that persist in soil can accumulate over time, damaging beneficial organisms like earthworms and microorganisms essential for soil fertility and ecosystem health. This cycle of contamination and ecological disruption further compounds climate-related challenges.
Collaborative action for food safety
Addressing food safety concerns in Indonesia requires collaboration among key government agencies, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Quarantine Agency (Badan Karantina Indonesia/Barantin), the National Food Agency (Bapanas), and the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM). In the recent Shine Muscat case, BPOM worked with Bapanas to ensure the safety of fresh produce and coordinated with Barantin to address follow-up actions, such as verifying circulating news, collecting samples, and conducting lab tests. This coordinated approach strengthens screening protocols for imported produce, reducing the risk of unsafe items from entering the market.
Indonesia could strengthen food safety by enhancing regulations on imported commodities and fostering closer collaboration among agencies for more thorough monitoring. Establishing a shared food safety database would facilitate rapid responses to emerging issues, enabling a protective measure to address food safety risks before they reach consumers. Implementing a rigorous import screening system and setting clear pesticide standards for allowable pesticide types and levels would demonstrate a strong commitment to food safety, protect public health, and build consumer trust.
Innovations, science, and policies for food safety
Indonesia has several local grape varieties, such as Probolinggo Super, Probolinggo 81, Kediri Kuning, Bali, and Red Prince/Prabu Bestari. Each variety offers unique characteristics and flavors, presenting a promising opportunity for Indonesia to expand its grape production and potentially reduce reliance on imports. As demand for premium grapes increases, cultivating local options similar to the popular Shine Muscat could satisfy consumer preferences, improve food safety, and support local agriculture.
However, this approach comes with challenges. Currently, Indonesia’s grape production is limited, reaching just 13,405 tonnes in 2023, and local varieties may not match the distinct taste and texture profile of Shine Muscat grapes. Additionally, sustainable farming practices for local grapes are not always guaranteed, raising concerns about pesticide use and environmental impact.
Moreover, the popularity of Shine Muscat grapes underscores the need to understand consumer preferences through research and develop policies that support both local farmers and food safety standards. What makes Shine Muscat grapes so appealing and widely sought after? What qualities set them apart from other grape varieties? Is it solely due to their sweet, crisp taste and texture? For policymakers, examining the reasons consumers favor imported foods like Shine Muscat grapes–factors such as taste, appearance, and quality perception–could help guide local producers in enhancing these qualities in domestic fruits, encouraging more people to choose locally grown options.
On the other hand, consumer education efforts, like the National Food Agency’s (NFA/Bapanas) B2SA initiative promoting balanced, diverse, nutritious, and safe diets, as well as campaigns encouraging seasonal, locally grown fruits, can play a crucial role in shifting preferences. Policymakers can strengthen these efforts by introducing transparent labeling on both imported and local fruits and providing information on pesticide use, origin, and farming practices. This transparency empowers consumers to make informed choices regarding food safety and sustainability.
Implementing such labeling not only enhances food safety protocols but also raises awareness about potential pesticide levels in imported goods, ultimately safeguarding public health. While demand for labeling exists in some markets, other segments may remain hesitant. Policymakers can address this gap by promoting the benefits of transparent labeling and offering incentives for producers to adopt these practices, helping consumers make choices that align with their values and increasing trust in local agriculture.
Some practical tips to reduce pesticide exposure in daily life
To reduce pesticide exposure in our food, a few simple practices can be effective:
Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water to remove surface residues. This can reduce pesticide levels by up to 77%;
Peel certain fruits and vegetables (like apples and potatoes) to lower pesticide intake. However, keep in mind that peeling may sacrifice some nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Balancing between consuming unpeeled fruits and peeling high-residue items can help manage both nutrition and pesticide intake;
Explore locally grown, in-season fruits in Indonesia, as off-season fruit production often requires a higher intensity of pesticide use. Off-season fruit production often demands more intensive agrochemicals applications to achieve desired yields, leading to increased pesticide levels.
Incorporating these practices allows us to still enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables while making safer choices for both personal health and environmental sustainability.
The case of Shine Muscat grapes and the risk of excessive pesticide exposure showed that the issue of food safety remains a top priority for consumers and policymakers. This incident underscores the need for stricter national safety measures, robust monitoring systems, and clear guidelines for pesticide use in food products.
Encouraging consumers to explore and choose locally grown fruits and vegetables, improving collaboration among government agencies, and supporting sustainable farming practices allow Indonesia to reduce reliance on imports, increase supply chain transparency, and create a safer food system for all.
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