FAO/WHO: JMPR Recommends New MRLs
The 2025 Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) took place in January 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting evaluated 38 pesticides, estimating maximum residue levels, which it recommended for use as maximum residue limits (MRLs) by the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). It also estimated levels of supervised trials median residue (STMR) and highest residue (HR) as a basis for estimation of the dietary intake of pesticide residues. The meeting also established new acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) and acute reference doses (ARfDs) when necessary.
The JMPR recommended, among others, the following new MRLs:
| Compound | Commodity | New MRL (mg/kg) | Previous MRL (mg/kg) |
| Cyfluthrin (157)/beta
cyfluthrin (228) |
Grape, dried | 1.5 | – |
| Mefentrifluconazole (320) | Grape, dried | 15 | – |
| Proquinazid (347) | Grape, dried | 1.5 | – |
| Pyriproxyfen (200) | Grape, dried | 4 | – |
| Pyriproxyfen (200) | Prune, dried | 0.5 | – |
The JMPR was requested to present risk assessments specifically for the CXLs retained under the four-year rule for phosmet. The request was intended to inform the CCPR whether the CXLs lead to exceedances of the new lower health-based guidance values (HBGVs) and hence assist the CCPR in deciding whether the CXLs should be retained under the four-year rule. In the case of tree nuts, JMPR concluded that there was insufficient information to properly assess the risk.
FAO/WHO: JMPR Recommends Prioritizing Acetamiprid for Periodic Re-evaluation
In its meeting in Geneva in January 2026, the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) responded to concerns raised regarding acetamiprid at the 56th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR56). The EU submitted a concern form indicating acute risks for consumers in relation to potential developmental neurotoxicity and advocated for the JMPR to prioritize a re-evaluation of acetamiprid for toxicology and residues in all commodities with CXLs. Unable to fully address the concern due to short notice, JMPR recommended to the CCPR that acetamiprid be prioritized for a periodic re-evaluation.
EU: Plant Protection Products Update
The European Commission has renewed the authorization of the following active substances:
| Substance | New Expiration Date |
| Pyrimethanil(1) | June 30, 2027 |
| Pyrimethanil(1) | March 31, 2028 |
| Flutolanil(1) | June 15, 2027 |
| Fluazinam(1) | November 30, 2027 |
| Fenpyroximate(1) | January 31, 2028 |
| Pyrethrins(1) | April 30, 2028 |
| Sulphur(1) | July 31, 2027 |
| Malathion(1) | July 15, 2028 |
| Penoxsulam(1) | May 15, 2027 |
| Proquinazid(1) | December 31, 2027 |
| Pyridaben(1) | January 31, 2030 |
| 6-benzyladenine(1) | January 15, 2030 |
| Dodine(1) | June 30, 2028 |
| 1-decanol(1) | June 30, 2028 |
| Fluometuron(1) | January 15, 2030 |
| Sintofen(1) | January 15, 2030 |
| Aluminium sulfate(1) | January 15, 2030 |
| Prohexadione(1) | May 15, 2028 |
| Spiroxamine(1) | November 30, 2029 |
| 1-naphthylacetamide(1) | November 30, 2029 |
| 1-naphthylacetic acid(1) | November 30, 2029 |
| Fluazifop-P(1) | November 30, 2029 |
| Eugenol(1) | April 15, 2028 |
| Geraniol(1) | April 15, 2028 |
| Thymol(1) | April 15, 2028 |
| Fluopyram(1) | June 15, 2028 |
| Pinoxaden(1) | December 31, 2029 |
| Esfenvalerate(1) | November 30, 2029 |
| Prosulfuron(1) | December 15, 2029 |
| Spinosad(2) | April 1, 2041 |
| Pyrimethanil(3) | April 30, 2041 |
| Tebuconazole(4) | June 30, 2027 |
(1) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/372
(2) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/351
(3) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/355
(4) Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/381
South Africa: New MLs for Aflatoxins in Foodstuffs to Take Effect in 2028
On February 6, 2026, South Africa published Government Notice 7091 of 2026, which establishes maximum levels (MLs) for mycotoxins in various foodstuffs. The regulation, which will come into operation 24 months after the publication date, envisages the following MLs for total aflatoxins in nuts and dried fruits:
| Mycotoxin | Foodstuff | Notes/Remarks | ML (μg/kg) |
| Aflatoxins, total
(B1+B2+G1+G2) |
Almonds (whole commodity) | Ready-to-eat | 10 |
| Almonds (whole commodity) | Intended for further processing | 15 | |
| Brazil nuts (shelled) | Ready-to-eat | 10 | |
| Brazil nuts (shelled) | Intended for further processing | 15 | |
| Hazelnuts (whole commodity) | Ready-to-eat | 10 | |
| Hazelnuts (whole commodity) | Intended for further processing | 15 | |
| Peanuts | Intended for further processing | 15 | |
| Pistachios (whole commodity) | Ready-to-eat | 10 | |
| Pistachios (whole commodity) | Intended for further processing | 15 | |
| Dried figs (whole commodity) | Ready-to-eat | 10 |