Volume 2 - Issue 3, May - June 2026

Food storage losses to insect and rodent pests are substantial worldwide, estimated at 10–30% in industrialized countries and up to 40–75% in developing regions and this has driven the widespread use of pesticides during post-harvest storage. Stored-product pesticides include fumigants such as phosphine, methyl bromide, and sulfuryl fluoride, as well as contact insecticides from the organophosphate, pyrethroid, carbamate, and (historically) organochlorine classes. While effective at reducing quantitative and qualitative losses, these compounds generate residues in stored commodities and may result in occupational and bystander exposure, with documented acute toxicity and growing evidence for chronic effects including cancer, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, reproductive toxicity, and metabolic disorders. This review consolidates recent literature on the principal pesticide classes employed in food storage, their application practices and residue behavior, routes of human exposure, and acute and chronic health outcomes, with emphasis on vulnerable groups in low- and middle-income countries. Regulatory status, residue monitoring data, and risk-assessment approaches are discussed alongside integrated pest management and safer alternatives. The evidence underscores the need to balance post-harvest protection with strengthened regulation, exposure reduction, and transition towards less hazardous technologies to safeguard human health.

Dr. John Chimerenka Ifenkwe, Dr. Benoni Isaiah Elleh,"Pesticide Residues in Foods: Evaluating Human Health Hazards" International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Educational Development, V2(3): Page(158-163) May-June 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.