EU: MRLs Update
Draft MRLs:
| Pesticide | Commodity | Proposed MRL (mg/kg) |
| Pyriproxyfen(1) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Teflubenzuron(2) | ||
| Diuron(2) | ||
| Etoxazole(2) |
(1) Proposed date of entry into force: May 1, 2024. More information
(2) Proposed date of publication: October 11, 2023. More information
New MRLs:
| Pesticide | Commodity | New MRL (mg/kg) |
| Triadimenol | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts | 0.02 | |
| Didecyldimethylammonium chloride | Tree nuts | 0.05 |
| Peanuts | ||
| Nicotine | Tree nuts | 0.02 |
| Peanuts | ||
| Figs | 0.01 | |
| Dates | ||
| Sodium aluminium silicate | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts |
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/377 amending Annexes II, III, IV and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as regards maximum residue levels for benzalkonium chloride (BAC), chlorpropham, didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), flutriafol, metazachlor, nicotine, profenofos, quizalofop-P, sodium aluminium silicate, thiabendazole and triadimenol in or on certain products.
This Regulation shall apply from September 14, 2023.
EU: EFSA Extensive Literature Search on Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons Published
On February 16, 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an extensive literature search on mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH). The overall purpose of this project was the identification and selection of relevant literature to gather information on chemical identification and characterization, sources and occurrence in food as well as data on toxicokinetics and toxicity to support the preparatory work for the hazard identification and characterization steps in the human health risk assessment of these substances.
EU: EFSA Review of MRLs for Bifenthrin
EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non‐approved active substance bifenthrin in view of the possible lowering of the MRLs. For existing EU MRLs that reflect previously authorized uses in the EU, or that are based on obsolete Codex MRLs, or import tolerances that are not required any longer, EFSA proposes the lowering to the limit of quantification or to an alternative MRL.
| Commodity | Existing MRL (mg/kg) | Proposed MRL (mg/kg) | Comment |
| Tree nuts | 0.05 | 0.05 or LOQ. Further consideration by risk managers needed | The existing MRL is sufficiently substantiated |
Canada: MRLs Update
| Pesticide | Commodity | MRL (ppm) |
| Fenazaquin(1) | Raisins | 0.8 |
| Teflubenzuron(2) | Raisins | 1.0 (proposed) |
| Sedaxane(3) | Peanuts | 0.01 |
(1) Adopted on February 3, 2023. More information
(2) Deadline for comments: May 3, 2023. More information
(3) Adopted on February 23, 2023. More information
Chile: Phytosanitary Certificate for Peanuts
Notified to the World Trade Organization on March 6, 2023, this regulation will amend Resolution No. 3.541 of 2022 establishing phytosanitary import requirements for shelled and unshelled peanuts (Arachis hypogea) from all origins.
Deadline for comments is May 5, 2023.
Gambia: Groundnuts Regulations
These regulations apply to all “stages of production, processing and distribution of groundnuts and groundnut products“, which means any stage, from the primary production of a food or feed, its storage, transport, sale, or supply to the final consumer and, where relevant, the importation, production, manufacture, storage, transport, distribution, sale and supply of groundnuts and their products.
The proposed date of entry into force is October 16, 2023.
Japan: MRLs Update
According to this USDA GAIN report, on February 7, 2023, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the following pesticides: Iprodione, Metobromuron, Paraquat dichloride / Paraquat, Pyridachlometyl. Nuts and fruits are among the food groups covered.
USA: Ochratoxin A Testing for Pistachios Destined to the EU
On February 6, 2023, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service announced the addition of ochratoxin A testing for pistachios destined to the European Union under the USDA Laboratory Approval Program (LAP).