Ginsenosides are active ingredients with significant anticancer activity found by scientists in Araliaceae plants (Panax ginseng, American ginseng,etc.). Canada is one of the world’s largest producer of high-quality American ginseng that offers raw materials for ginsenosides. Although excessive pesticide residues in herbal medicine remain a wide challenge for many countries, Canada receives high reputation for the safety of ginseng and ginsenoside products.
In addition to unique environmental advantages like clean water and minimal pollution, a set of comprehensive measures has been adopted in Canada to help reduce the pesticide residues in ginseng and ginsenoside products.
Advanced planting techniques and pest control technology
Canadian agricultural authority takes a positive role in the development of ginseng planting. Ginseng growers are trained to grow the ginseng in scientific methods with high technology and a number of agricultural experts are allocated to provide on-the-ground guidance. Farmers are equipped with a series of effective planting methods like reasonable rotation, cleaning soil pest and pollutions, using light and tasty treatments to trap pests, all of which help prevent and reduce the reproduction of pests and lower pesticide use.
Strict regulation of pesticides use
The Canadian government uses compliance and enforcement activities to make sure producers properly use and apply pesticides and respect established residue limits. In particular, it prohibits the production, sale and use of highly concentrated and toxic pesticides and encourages the use of low-toxicity and low-residue pesticides. When growing ginseng, the use of the pesticides is strictly regulated.
Strict test of pesticide residues
Before entering the market, ginsenoside products will experience a strict review. This includes 70 test items, that is, 5 heavy metal contaminants screenings, 5 microbial contaminants screenings and 60 pesticide residue screenings. Strict test of pesticide residues knocks out products with excess pesticide residues.
All of the measures adopted by the government of Canada have guarded against pesticide residues of ginsenoside products, which contribute much to an important standing of Canada in the global ginseng industry.
