Abstract

This study quantified the prevalence and concentration of key chemical residues in containerized food imports at Dar es Salaam Port, Tanzania. A cross‐sectional design sampled fifty containers between March and May 2025. Pesticide residues (organophosphates, organochlorines, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids) were analyzed via QuEChERS extraction and GC-MS, and heavy metals (lead, cadmium) via acid digestion and AAS. Results showed that 44 % of containers contained pyrethroids (mean 0.72 mg/kg), 36 % contained lead (0.30 mg/kg), and 28 % contained organophosphates (0.40 mg/kg), each exceeding FAO/WHO MRLs. Organochlorines (20 %), neonicotinoids (16 %), and cadmium (24 %) were also detected. Over half of consignments harbored two or more residue classes, underscoring layered exposure risks. These findings mirror contamination patterns in other global ports and reveal critical gaps in pre-export testing, port laboratory capacity, and risk-based inspection regimes. The study recommends adopting multi-residue, high-throughput screening technologies, expanding rapid‐analysis capacity, and implementing data-driven inspection prioritization to safeguard consumer health and strengthen Tanzania’s food‐safety infrastructure.

Keywords

  • Solar energy
  • Socio-economic status
  • Tungan jika village

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