UK Potato Industry Urged to Step Up CIPC Monitoring as One in Seven Stores Still Show Residues

The CIPC Residues Monitoring Group (CRMG), in collaboration with GB Potatoes, is calling on potato growers to submit their chlorpropham (CIPC) residue sampling results before the 31 August deadline. Although CIPC—a sprout inhibitor once widely used in potato storage—is no longer approved for use in the UK, historic residues persist in storage facilities and equipment. Recent monitoring reveals that approximately one in seven stores still return detectable CIPC residues, a notable improvement from the one-in-four rate recorded during the first year of surveillance. However, while all detections remain within the current temporary Maximum Residue Level of 0.35 mg/kg and pose no immediate regulatory breach, the findings underscore the lasting nature of these chemical traces and the critical need for sustained vigilance.

Adrian Cunnington, chair of the CRMG, emphasised that although the downward trend is encouraging, the industry cannot afford complacency. With around 14% of stores still testing positive, thorough cleaning between storage seasons remains the single most effective measure growers can take to eliminate residual contamination. The group stresses that continued sampling and rigorous store hygiene are essential not only to demonstrate ongoing compliance but also to prepare the sector for potential future tightening of regulatory thresholds. Given the health risks associated with dietary CIPC exposure as highlighted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), proactive participation in the monitoring programme is vital to safeguarding both consumer confidence and market access for British potatoes.