Australia: MRLS Update
The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) published Amendment No. 193, varying Schedule 20 to include MRLs from Proposal M1017 – Maximum Residue Limits (2019).
As previously announced, the Schedule 20 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code is varied as follows:
- The MRL for Flazasulfuron in almonds at 0.01 ppm is inserted.
- The MRL for Clofentezine in Stone fruits [except cherries] at 0.1 ppm is omitted.
- The MRL for Acephate in peanuts at 0.2 ppm is inserted.
- The MRL for Clofentezine in plums (including prunes) at 0.1 ppm is inserted.
- The MRL for Fenazaquin in dried grapes (currants, raisins and sultanas) at 0.8 ppm and stone fruits at 2 ppm is inserted.
- The MRL for Halosulfuron-methyl in almonds at 0.05 ppm is inserted.
- The MRL for Phosmet in Stone fruits [except cherries] at 5 ppm is inserted.
- The MRL for Propiconazole in Stone fruits [except plum (including prunes)] at 4 ppm is inserted.
- The MRL for Sethoxydim in almonds at 0.2 ppm is inserted.
- The MRL for Chlorothalonil in peanuts is substituted for 0.3 ppm.
- The MRL for Fluopyram in peanuts is substituted for 0.2 ppm.
Amendment No. 193
In addition, FSANZ issued the proposal to amend Schedule 20 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (August 11, 2020).
Among other changes, the table to section S20-3 in Schedule 20 is amended as follows:
- The maximum residue limit (MRL) for clofentezine in almonds is substitute by 0.5 ppm.
The deadline for comments is September 8, 2020.
The proposal can be found here.
Brazil: MRLs Update
The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency has notified the World Trade Organization of the draft resolutions regarding the active F36 – Flutriafol, P34 – Pyriproxyfem and B55 – Emamectin Benzoate of the Monograph List of Active Ingredients for Pesticides, Household Cleaning Products and Wood Preservers, published by Resolution RE n° 165 of 29 August 2003, on the Official Gazette (DOU Diário Oficial da União) of 2 September 2003.
- The MRL for flutriafol in groundnut culture is set at 0.1 ppm with a safety security period of 28 days.
- The MRL for pyriproxyfem in cashew culture is set at 5 ppm with a safety security period of 14 days.
- The MRL for emamectin benzoate in peanut cultures is 0.01 ppm with a safety security period of 7 days.
For flutriafol, pyriproxyfem and emamectin benzoate the final date for comments is September 26, 2020.
F36 – Flutriafol
P34 – Pyriproxyfem
B55 – Emamectin Benzoate
EFSA: MRLs Review
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published the Modification and setting of maximum residue levels for mefentrifluconazole in various crops.
The data submitted were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues. A consumer risk assessment was performed, and the short- and long-term resulting from the intended uses is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health.
| Substance | Commodity | Existing MRL (ppm) | Proposed MRL (ppm) | Comments |
| Mefentrifluconazole | Apricots | 0.01* | 0.7 | The submitted data are sufficient to derive an MRL proposal. Risk for consumers unlikely. |
| Plums | 0.01* | 0.5 | ||
| Grapes | 0.01* | 0.9 |
* Indicates lower limit of determination.
New Zealand: MRLs Update
On August 6, 2020, the Ministry for Primary Industries of New Zealand published the ‘Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds’.
This document specifies maximum residue levels (MRLs) for agricultural compounds in food and specifies agricultural compounds for which no maximum residue level applies in relation to specified food subject to specified conditions. It revokes and replaces the Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds, issued on March 9, 2020 (see previous post).
This Food Notice came into force on August 28, 2020.
Food Notice: Maximum Residue Levels for Agricultural Compounds (August 28, 2020)
USA: Pesticide Petitions
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has received several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.
As regards nuts and dried fruits, the Agency received a petition to establish a new tolerance for residues of the fungicide pyriofenone in or on raisins at 2.5 ppm.
The final date for comments is September 4, 2020.
Federal Register Vol. 85, No. 151, Wednesday, August 5, 2020 5, 2020. Pages 47330-47331
USA: Applications for New Active Ingredients
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency received applications to register pesticide products containing active ingredients not included in any currently registered pesticide products.
The new active ingredient pyraziflumid has been proposed as fungicide for stone fruits (crop group 12-12) and tree nuts (crop group 14-12). The deadline for comments is September 28, 2020.
Federal Register Vol. 85, No. 166. Friday, August 28, 2020. Pages 53362-53363