Carbofuran residue in coffee bean

Furadan 3 percent granular was applied to soil in the field during different months based on pest control programme in coffee estates. At the end, the harvested beans were analysed for the residues. No parent compound was noticed but seven metabolites were recorded. (Among them two were new. Two new metabolites were recorded in addition to the five well established metabolites). More of the metabolites were noticed in the organo-soluble fraction. These metabolites were persistent for a long duration of upto one year, even by single application in June. In the absence of the availability of complete toxicological and pharmacological data of the metabolites and codex committee tolerance limits, it is advised that the use of this pesticide in coffee plantations be with held till such time further data is available and tolerance limits are fixed, as coffee is an exportable commodity