Surveys of pesticide residues in fruit are important to demonstrate conformity with strict regulations of newly open markets
for export of exotic fruit. Multi-residue methods are tools to ensure compliance with regulations and both the CEN and the
AOAC have versions of QuEChERS that are used effectively as mainstream methods. The aim of this study was to assess
their performance and pick the optimum one for this particular application using GC-MS. The use of graphitised carbon
black (GCB) to improve clean-up was assessed. Optimisation of large volume injection (LVI) and implementation of
concurrent back-flushing was needed in order to improve sensitivity at a low concentration levels for 33 pesticides
(0.01 mg kg−1). Cleaner total ion current (TIC) profiles were obtained with the CEN method. Recoveries of most of the
pesticides showed statistical differences (α = 0.05) when GCB was used in the AOAC method, unlike the CEN method. In
general, GCB/no GCB use for CEN clean-up gave good, very similar results for all fruit, though some pesticides showed
some adsorption on the GCB surface. The CEN general method was preferred since acceptable recoveries (> 80%) and RSD
(< 20%) can be achieved for all analytes.