Codex Alimentarius, News and Updates
The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) is requesting comments on the recommendations of the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues. During the last meeting, the FAO Panel of Experts agreed to review residue and analytical aspects of several pesticides, including data on their metabolism, fate in the environment and use patterns, and to estimate the maximum levels of residues that might occur as a result of the use of these pesticides according to good agricultural practice. The deadline for comments is May 25, 2023. More information
In addition, the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis (CCMAS) is requesting comments on the cereals, pulses and legumes workable package. Deadline for comments is May 24, 2023. More information
Moreover, the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) is requesting comments on the discussion paper on sustainability labeling claims with deadline: April 14, 2023. More information
FAO: Strategic Priorities for Food Safety 2022 to 2031
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has announced its strategy for enhancing food safety in the coming years. The FAO Strategic Priorities for Food Safety 2022-2031 were created upon the request of the FAO Committee on Agriculture (COAG) and approved by the FAO Council in December 2022. The strategy is centered around four key areas, including governance, provision of scientific advice for food safety decisions, reinforcement of national food control systems, and encouragement of public-private partnerships across the food supply chain.
Chile: Amendments of Nomenclature of Certain Products
Notified to the World Trade Organization on March 22, 2023, the proposal amends the nomenclature of products that are currently classified as so-called dried fruits, to move to a more specific category: “tree nuts”. This category includes groundnuts.
Chile: Phytosanitary Requirements Governing the Importation of Certain Plants
The notified document establishes phytosanitary requirements governing the importation of plants, cuttings and twigs of the following stone fruit species: Prunus armeniaca, P. avium, P. cerasifera, P. cerasus, P. davidiana, P. domestica, P. dulcis, P. fruticosa, P. insititia, P. mahaleb, P. persica, P. persica var. nucipersica, P. salicina, P. serotina, P. serrulataand P. spinosa, coming from Member States of the European Union.
In addition, it establishes a time frame for companies in the sector to bring their processes into line with the phytosanitary requirements established.
China: National Food Safety Standard, MRLs for Pesticides in Foods
On March 13, 2023, China notified the WTO of a new standard that establishes 421 maximum residue limits for 85 pesticides in or on foods, including certain nuts and fruits.
Canada: MRLs Update
| Pesticide | Commodity | MRL (ppm) |
| Pyrifluquinazon (1) | Tree nuts | 0.02 |
| Ipflufenoquin (2) | Almonds | 0.01 |
(1) Adopted on February 28, 2023. More information
(2) Adopted on March 23, 2023. More information
EU: Canarium Indicum L. Dried Nuts Is Authorized as Novel Food
The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/667 has been released by the European Commission, allowing the sale of dried nuts of Canarium indicum L. (also known as galip nut, a mainly dioecious tree indigenous to eastern Melanesia) as a traditional food from a third country, and amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted an analysis of the available data on the composition and the history of the requested use of dried nuts of Canarium indicum L. and found no safety concerns.
Effective March 23, 2023.
EU: MRLs Update
New MRLs:
| Pesticide | Commodity | New MRL (mg/kg) |
| Isoxaben (1) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts | ||
| Tetraconazole (2) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Dates | ||
| Figs | ||
| Peanuts | ||
| Novaluron (3) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Bromopropylate (4) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Chloridazon (5) | Tree nuts | 0.04 |
| Dates | 0.03 | |
| Figs | ||
| Imazaquin (6) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
(1) (2) (3) Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/466 of 3 March 2023 amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for isoxaben, novaluron and tetraconazole in or on certain products. This Regulation shall apply from September 26, 2023. More information
(4) (5) (6) Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/710 of 30 March 2023 amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for bromopropylate, chloridazon, fenpropimorph, imazaquin and tralkoxydim in or on certain products. More information
Japan: 254th Food Safety Group
On March 29, 2023, the Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture published a report analyzing the proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 11 agricultural chemicals for various agricultural commodities, including nuts and fruits.
USA: Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins
Published on March 8, 2023, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the United States Department of Agriculture proposes to revise the Standards for Grades of Processed Raisins. AMS is proposing to modify two references to the allowances for capstems within the standards to modernize the standards to reflect current industry practices. The proposal also includes minor editorial changes to table headings to align with updated Code of Federal Regulations formatting requirements.
Deadline for comments is May 8, 2023.