Chile: Phytosanitary Requirements on Imported Cashew
A proposed regulation would establish phytosanitary requirements for the import of cashew nuts into Chile from any country of origin. Aspects covered include the following:
- Official phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of origin, with the following additional declaration: “The shipment has been treated for Trogoderma granarium (Col., Dermestidae), and Corcyra cephalonica (Lep., Pyralidae)”
- Fumigation treatments accepted
- Alternative additional declaration accepted
- Requirements concerning shipment, transport and inspection
The final date for comments is November 27, 2023.
EU: European Commission Plans to Harmonize Official Controls
FRUCOM reported that it recently met with officials from the official controls unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety to discuss official controls on food originating from third countries. The officials explained that, under Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Articles 66 and 67, special treatment is allowed for foods if they do not pose a risk to human health. However, in the case of goods that do pose a risk to human health, the goods must be destroyed (re-dispatch to third countries is not allowed). The officials noted that the Commission is aware that some Member States have national guidelines that define risk differently and that destruction of goods has been on the rise in some countries. Internal discussions are currently underway at the Commission to create a guidance document that would harmonize official controls among Member States.
EU: Pesticides Update
On October 5, 2023, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2023/2382 amending Annexes II and V of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as regards maximum residue levels for carbetamide, carboxin and triflumuron in or on certain products.
| Pesticide | Commodities | MRL (ppm) |
| Carbetamide | Dried fruits; tree nuts; peanuts | 0.01 |
| Triflumuron | Dried fruits; tree nuts; peanuts | 0.01 |
In addition, on October 12-13, the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, Section Phytopharmaceuticals – Legislation, voted in favor of the non-renewal of the active substances benthiavalicarb, clofentezine, metiram, S-metolachlor and triflusulfuron-methyl.
Finally, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety published a draft motion for a resolution on the renewal of the approval of propiconazole as an active substance for use in biocidal products of product-type 8. This document calls on the Commission to withdraw its draft implementing regulation and to submit a new draft to the committee, proposing non-renewal of the approval of propiconazole.
Netherlands: Food Safety Authority to Monitor MOAH in Various Products
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority will be monitoring mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in various foodstuffs in accordance with a temporary enforcement policy that will come into effect as of January 1, 2024.
Action limits:
- Dry foods with low fat/oil content (≤4% fat/oil): 0.5 mg/kg
- Foods with higher fat/oil content (>4% fat/oil): 1.0 mg/kg
- Fats/oils or foods with >50% fat/oil content: 2.0 mg/kg