Canada: Ban on Iranian Pistachios and License Conditions for Pistachios From Elsewhere
Between July and December 2025, numerous pistachio products originating from Iran were recalled in Canada due to Salmonella contamination. An outbreak investigation is ongoing, led by the Public Health Agency of Canada, with multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella infections reported. Numerous food recall notifications have been issued, all linked to pistachios originating from Iran and products made with Iranian pistachios. As of December 2, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is refusing entry of Iranian pistachios and pistachio products until further notice.
To mitigate the risk of Salmonella in pistachios, CFIA is introducing new Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) license conditions, including proof of origin, for importing pistachios and pistachio products. If the consignment/shipment is from outside Iran, SFC license holders must obtain a proof of origin from the exporter or the competent authority in the exporting country demonstrating that the products originate from a country other than Iran. The proof of origin must be included in the import declaration. If the proof of origin is not provided, the importer will be requested to re-submit the import declaration with proof of origin. If proof of origin cannot be provided, the shipment will be refused entry into Canada.
Honduras: Draft Update to Phytosanitary Regulation
Honduras has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft update to its phytosanitary regulatory framework. The revised measure, titled “Regulation on Surveillance, Diagnosis, Pest Risk Analysis, and Phytosanitary Campaigns,” establishes updated technical, administrative, and legal provisions for phytosanitary surveillance, diagnosis, pest risk analysis, and phytosanitary campaigns. The regulation applies to products and by-products of plant origin, both domestically and in international trade. The deadline for comments is February 10, 2026.
Uganda: Standards Adopted
Uganda has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) that it adopted the following standards on September 30, 2025:
- The Draft East African Standard DEAS 1170:2023 Cashew Flour – Specification was adopted as Uganda Standard US EAS 1170:2024 Cashew nut flour – Specification (1st Edition).
- The Draft East African Standard DEAS 1169:2023 Raw Macadamia nuts – inshell – Specification was adopted as Uganda Standard US EAS 1169:2024 Macadamia nut – inshell – Specification (1st Edition).
- The Draft East African Standard DEAS 1171:2023 Peanut/groundnut flour – Specification was adopted as Uganda Standard US EAS 1171:2024 Peanut/groundnut flour –Specification (1st Edition).
- The Draft East African Standard DEAS 1107:2022, Code of practice for the production, handling and processing of dried fruits and Vegetables, First Edition was adopted as Uganda Standard US EAS 1107:2024 Code of practice for the production, handling, and processing of dried fruits and vegetables (1st Edition).
The Standards can be purchased online at: https://webstore.unbs.go.ug
EU: ML for Nickel in Pecans
According to FRUCOM, the European Commission has agreed to raise the maximum level (ML) for nickel in pecans from 3.5 µg/kg to 10 µg/kg. This change will be included in a contaminants omnibus comprising amendments linked to multiple foodstuffs. A formal vote could take place in February and publication in the Official Journal of the European Union is expected in June or July. However, once the formal vote has taken place, it is possible to record the decision in the meeting minutes so that Member States can take steps to prevent the withdrawal of pecans from the market.
EU: Commission Publishes Food and Feed Safety Omnibus Simplification Proposal
On December 16, 2025, the European Commission announced the publication of a package of measures to streamline and simplify EU food and feed safety legislation.
Regarding pesticides, the proposal:
- Removes the requirement for the systematic renewal of many active substance approvals based on time (excluding the most hazardous), with renewals and targeted reassessments carried out on substances when there are scientific reasons to do so.
- Establishes a simpler procedure to identify low-risk active substances.
- Establishes simpler procedures for basic substances (e.g. vinegar, mustard seed powder, baking powder) for plant protection and accelerates the authorization of products containing substances targeting particularly damaging pests.
- Provides technical and scientific support from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to the Member State leading a risk assessment, to reduce delays and provide clarity on necessary risk-management options.
- Facilitates the authorization of low-risk pesticides in multiple Member States.
- Sets out how the Commission will identify certain types of drones for spraying pesticides, with potential to lower the exposure of humans and the environment to pesticides compared to land-based spraying.
Regarding bio-pesticides, the proposal sets an EU-wide definition of biocontrol active substance and creates a process to accelerate their assessment and authorization.
With regard to border controls, the proposal would allow consignments of plants and plant products to be partially cleared at the border, so that the compliant part could be put on the market while controls continue on the rest.
EU: New Rules on PFAS and Bisphenol A
In late November, AGRINFO organized a webinar to discuss the new rules on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenol A in food packaging.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, adopted by the EU in 2024, sets new rules for the PFAS in packaging. As of August 12, 2026, PFAS content will be limited as follows:
- < 25 ppb for any single PFAS
- < 250 ppb for the sum of each of those PFAS
- < 50 ppm for total fluorine
The EU is expected to publish a guidance document on PFAS early next year.
Under Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, bisphenol A will be banned in food contact materials as of July 20, 2026, with transitional measures in place until January 2029. A detection limit of 1 μg/kg will be used to verify compliance.
For further information about the new rules for PFAS and bisphenol A, see the recording of the AGRINFO webinar.
UK: Official Controls on Peanuts and Peanut Products From Paraguay
As part of a series of amendments to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, the United Kingdom has introduced 10% frequency checks for aflatoxins in peanut products from Paraguay, including in-shell peanuts, shelled peanuts, prepared or preserved peanuts, peanut flours and meals, oilcake and other solid residues, peanut paste, and peanut butter. The date of entry into force is January 1, 2026.
For more information, see the regulations for England, Scotland and Wales.
USA: Isocycloseram Tolerances
The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a final rule establishing tolerances for residues of the insecticide isocycloseram in or on the following products, among others:
| Product | Tolerance (ppm) |
| Almond | 0.2 |
| Almond hull | 6 |
| Brazil nut | 0.01 |
| Cashew | 0.01 |
| Hazelnut | 0.01 |
| Macadamia | 0.01 |
| Pecan | 0.01 |
| Pine nut | 0.2 |
| Pistachio | 0.2 |
| Walnut | 0.1 |
| Peanut | 0.01 |
| Prune | 1.5 |