Maximum residue levels for zoxamide

Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/146 of 29 January 2025 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for zoxamide in or on certain products

Update

The European Union has amended the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for zoxamide. For the majority of products, the zoxamide MRL is set at the limit of determination (LOD), the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods. MRLs are maintained for certain products where import tolerances have been requested, or where sufficient data has been presented to establish safety.

The products likely to be most significantly affected by these changes are leaf vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. MRLs for these products are reduced to the LOD.

Impacted Products

Grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/ cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nut kernels, pistachios, walnuts, apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats/ Japanese medlars, apricots, cherries (sweet), peaches, plums, strawberries, blackberries, dewberries, raspberries (red and yellow), blueberries, cranberries, currants (black, red, white), gooseberries (green, red, yellow), rose hips, mulberries (black and white), azaroles/ Mediterranean medlars, elderberries, dates, figs, table olives, kumquats, carambolas, kaki/ Japanese persimmons, jambuls/ jambolans, kiwi fruits (green, red, yellow), litchis/ lychees, passionfruits/ maracujas, prickly pears/ cactus fruits, star apples/ cainitos, American persimmons/ Virginia kaki, avocados, bananas, mangoes, papayas, granate apples/ pomegranates, cherimoyas, guavas, pineapples, breadfruits, durians, soursops/ guanabanas, cassava roots/ manioc, sweet potatoes, yams, arrowroots, beetroots, carrots, celeriacs/ turnip rooted celeries, horseradishes, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, parsley roots/ Hamburg root parsley, radishes, salsifies, swedes/ rutabagas, turnips, garlic, onions, shallots, spring onions/ green onions and Welsh onions, tomatoes, sweet peppers/ bell peppers, aubergines/ eggplants, okra/ lady's fingers, sweet corn, broccoli, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts, head cabbages, Chinese cabbages/ pe-tsai, kales, lamb's lettuces/ corn salads, lettuces, escaroles/ broad-leaved endives, cresses and other sprouts and shoots, land cresses, Roman rocket/ rucola, red mustards, baby leaf crops (including Brassica species), spinaches, purslanes, chards/ beet leaves, watercresses, witloofs/ Belgian endives, chervil, chives, celery leaves, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and edible flowers, laurel/ bay leaves, tarragon, beans (with pods), beans (without pods), peas (with pods), peas (without pods), lentils, asparagus, cardoons, celeries, Florence fennels, globe artichokes, leeks, rhubarbs, bamboo shoots, palm hearts, cultivated fungi, wild fungi, mosses and lichens, beans, lentils, peas, lupins/ lupini beans, linseeds, peanuts/ groundnuts, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, rapeseeds/ canola seeds, soyabeans, mustard seeds, cotton seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, borage seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, hemp seeds, castor beans, olives for oil production, oil palm kernels, oil palm fruits, kapok, barley, buckwheat and other pseudocereals, maize/ corn, common millet/ proso millet, oat, rice, rye, sorghum, wheat, teas, coffee beans, herbal infusions from chamomile, hibiscus/ roselle, rose, jasmine, lime/ linden, strawberry, rooibos, mate/ maté, valerian, ginseng, sugar beet roots, sugar canes, chicory roots, honey and other apiculture products

What is changing?

The EU has amended the MRLs for zoxamide as summarised in Table 1. MRLs remain unchanged for grapes, cucumbers, gherkins, courgettes, melons, pumpkins, and watermelons. In addition, the LOD is lowered for the majority of the remaining products from 0.02 or 0.05 mg/kg to 0.01 mg/kg (see Annex I of the Regulation for changes in LODs).

Why?

Following a review of existing MRLs, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggested reducing the MRLs to the LOD for leaf vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. EFSA (2023) reviewed and supported requests for an import tolerance on onions, garlic, and shallots.

EFSA identified higher MRLs, considered safe for consumers, for potatoes, tomatoes, aubergines, and honey.

Timeline

The new MRLs apply from 19 August 2025.

Products imported before 19 August 2025 that comply with the old MRLs will not be removed from the EU market after that date, even if they do not comply with the new MRLs.

Recommended Actions

Exporters of leaf vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers should review their current use of zoxamide and evaluate possible alternative solutions in anticipation of MRL changes.

Background

MRLs are set in accordance with the rules set out in Regulation 396/2005. For information on current MRLs for other substances, please consult the EU Pesticide Residues database.

Resources

Sources

Tables & Figures

Source: based on Regulation 2025/146