Australia: New BMSB Pre-Border Biosecurity Treatment Provider Scheme
The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has introduced AusTreat, a new pre-border biosecurity treatment provider scheme. AusTreat replaces the Offshore Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Treatment Providers Scheme and sets the conditions for the regulation of pre-border biosecurity treatment providers.
AusTreat is not pest- or pathway-specific. Instead, treatment providers register to conduct multiple treatment types (heat treatment, methyl bromide fumigation, sulfuryl fluoride fumigation) for multiple pests. Registration now lasts for three years, whereas under the previous scheme registration was renewed on a yearly basis. All treatment certificates, records of treatment and other treatment data must be submitted into the treatment certificate portal.
China: Draft National Food Safety Standard for Dried Fruit
China has notified the World Trade Organization of the publication of a draft of the National Standard for Food Safety Dried Fruit and Vegetable Products. If adopted, this new standard would replace GB 16325-2005 (“Hygienic Standard for Dried Fruits”). The standard would establish moisture index limits for dried apricots and raisins that are higher than those in the Codex Alimentarius international standard. The deadline for comment on this draft standard is September 9, 2024.
EU: Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons Update
According to FRUCOM, the European Commission has drafted new maximum levels (MLs) for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAHs) in various commodities.
| Commodity | Draft ML (mg/kg) |
| Groundnuts | 6.0 from January 1, 2026
4.0 from January 1, 2028 2.0 from January 1, 2030 |
| Tree nuts | 2.0 |
Relatedly, also according to FRUCOM, the Commission has drafted a recommendation on the monitoring of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food, under which Member States, in collaboration with food business operators, should monitor the presence of MOSH and MOAH in food during the years 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. The monitoring of MOSH should include oilseeds, tree nuts, tree-nut-based products, tree-nut-containing products, processed fruits and processed products containing fruits, among other foods. The monitoring of MOAH should include processed fruits, and processed products containing fruits, among other foods. The limits of quantification of the analytical methods should be below or at:
- 0.50 mg/kg for MOSH and MOAH in products with <4% fat/oil content
- 1.0 mg/kg for MOSH and MOAH in products with >4% and ≤ 50% fat/oil content
- 2.0 mg/kg for MOSH and MOAH in products with >50% fat/oil content
Further investigation of the causes of the contamination should be carried out when the following indicative levels are exceeded:
For MOSH:
- Oilseeds, oil fruits, tree nuts, processed fruits: 5.0 mg/kg
For MOAH:
- Processed fruits: 2.0 mg/kg
Where MOSH and MOAH are detected in food in concentrations above the indicative levels, Member States should carry out further investigations in the food business establishments in order to determine the possible source or sources
EU: Plant Protection Products Update
The European Union notified the WTO of a draft Commission Regulation regarding maximum residue levels (MRLs) for fenbuconazole and penconazole in or on certain products:
| Substance | Commodity | New MRL (mg/kg) |
| Fenbuconazole(1) | Apricots | 0.01 |
| Fenbuconazole(1) | Plums | 0.01 |
| Fenbuconazole(1) | Grapes | 0.01 |
| Fenbuconazole(1) | Cranberries | 0.01 |
| Fenbuconazole(1) | Peanuts | 0.01 |
| Penconazole(1) | Apricots | 0.07 |
| Penconazole(1) | Plums | 0.15 |
| Penconazole(1) | Grapes | 0.4 |
(1) Proposed date of adoption: January 24, 2025. More information
The European Commission published an Implementing Regulation approving the use of Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) dried pellets as a nematicide in grapevines. The Regulation will enter into force on July 17, 2024.
The Commission published an Implementing Regulation renewing the approval of the active substance metconazole as a candidate for substitution. The Regulation shall apply from September 1, 2024.
According to another Implementing Regulation published by the Commission, the approval period for amisulbrom and S-abscisic acid has been extended until September 15, 2026 and the approval period for thiencarbazone and valifenalate has been extended until March 1, 2027.
EU: Draft Regulation on Sorbates as Food Additives
The European Commission has published a draft Commission Regulation (and draft Annex) regarding sorbates as food additives. These documents would amend Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the use of sorbic acid (E 200) and potassium sorbate (E 202) and the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards the specifications for sorbic acid (E200), potassium sorbate (E 202) and propyl gallate (E 310).
Japan: MRLs Update
Japan has notified the World Trade Organization of new maximum residue limits (MRLs) for fluxapyroxad in various commodities.
| Substance | Commodity | New MRL (ppm) |
| Fluxapyroxad(1) | Apricots | 7 |
| Dimethomorph(2) | Grapes | 15 |
(1) More information
(2) More information
USA: New Allergen Verification Sampling Program
On August 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will implement a new allergen verification sampling program at establishments that produce ready-to-eat products with labeling that claims the absence of at least one of 14 food allergens. The purpose of the program is to expand verification of industry compliance with labeling regulations. The allergens included in the new program include peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts.