Pesticide Residue Assessment in Honey Samples from Commercial Apiaries in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria

Honey quality is increasingly scrutinized by both domestic consumers and international export markets, with pesticide residues representing a primary food safety concern. Commercial apiaries in Kaduna State operate in agricultural landscapes where pesticides including organophosphates and pyrethroids are applied extensively on cereal and vegetable crops, potentially contaminating honey via forager bee exposure. This study assesses the levels of pesticide residues in honey produced by commercial apiaries in three agricultural zones of Kaduna State. Honey samples will be collected from 45 apiaries twice (wet and dry seasons) and analyzed for residues of 15 pesticide active ingredients commonly used in the region using HPLC-MS/MS at an accredited laboratory. Results will be compared against EU maximum residue limits and Codex Alimentarius standards. Pesticide use intensity data will be collected from farms surrounding sampled apiaries using a 5-km radius survey. Statistical analysis will determine whether proximity to intensive vegetable farming areas predicts higher residue levels. This research provides the first systematic honey residue dataset for Kaduna State and directly addresses the needs of apiaries seeking NAFDAC certification for export. Recommendations will support Good Apicultural Practice guidelines for the state. Keywords: honey residues, pesticide contamination, commercial apiaries, Kaduna State, food safety