To systematically evaluate the pesticide residue levels in fresh Zingiber officinale Roscoe in a region of North China in 2025.

A total of 117 batches of seasonal fresh Zingiber officinale Roscoe were collected from a region in North China. After sample pretreatment, high performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and gas chromatography were used to simultaneously detect residues of 33 kinds of commonly used insecticides, fungicides and plant growth regulators.

The overall detection rate of the 33 kinds of pesticides was 41.88%, with residues mainly occurring at low concentrations. The pesticide residue levels in all samples did not exceed the limits specified in GB 2763—2026 National food safety standard-Maximum residue limits of pesticides in food. Chlorpyrifos was detected in only 1 batch with a residue level of 0.018 mg/kg, while clothianidin was detected in 34 batches with a maximum residue of 0.190 mg/kg; both were close to the limit value of 0.2 mg/kg but remained within safe limits. Meanwhile, multiple residue occurrence was common, with 23.08% of samples containing 2 or more kinds of pesticides, up to a maximum of 5, but all detected values complied with national limit standards.

The overall level of pesticide residues in Zingiber officinale Roscoe in this region is safe and controllable.None of the 117 batches exceeds national safety limits. To continuously ensure the quality and safety of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, it is recommended to establish further risk assessments targeting key pesticides and combined exposure to scientifically guide prevention and control.