In detail
Botanical raw materials are agricultural products. Growers may use insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides, and residues can survive drying and concentration. A multi-residue panel typically uses LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS to screen several hundred compounds, with confirmatory analysis for any finding.
The panel should be appropriate to the herb: some botanicals are prone to specific actives that a generic screen may miss. Ask for the panel size, the reporting limits, and the laboratory's accreditation. Ethylene oxide is usually tested separately and is a distinct concern from field pesticides.
Why it matters to a buyer
- Pesticide residues are a border-rejection risk, especially for EU-bound shipments.
- A generic panel may not cover the compounds relevant to a specific herb.
- Organic claims require a different verification path, not just a pesticide test.
What to ask a supplier
How many compounds are in the panel, and what are the reporting limits?
Is the panel matched to this herb and our destination market?
Is ethylene oxide tested separately?
References and further reading
External links are provided for orientation. Requirements differ by market, product, and dose; confirm with your regulatory advisor.
Cite this page
Rainwood Botanical. "Pesticide residues." Botanical extract glossary, October 2026. https://ingredients.rainwoodbio.com/resources/glossary/pesticide-residues/