Maximum residue levels for acetamiprid
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union has reduced the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acetamiprid. The most significant MRL reductions (to the limit of determination, LOD) are on bananas, currants, asparagus, lettuces, escaroles, chards, and spinach. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
EU lowers MRLs for acetamiprid with particular impacts on bananas, currants, asparagus, lettuces, escaroles, chards, and spinach
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/158 of 29 January 2025 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in or on certain products
Update
The European Union has reduced the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acetamiprid. The most significant MRL reductions (to the limit of determination, LOD) are on bananas, currants, asparagus, lettuces, escaroles, chards, and spinach. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Impacted Products
Apples, pears, quinces, medlars, apricots, cherries, peaches, table grapes, wine grapes, blackberries, raspberries (red, yellow), blueberries, cranberries, gooseberries (green, red, yellow), currants (black, red, white), elderberries, table olives, bananas, tomatoes, sweet peppers/ bell peppers, cucumbers, courgettes, melons, pumpkins, watermelons, broccoli, cauliflowers, head cabbages, lamb’s lettuces/ corn salads, Roman rocket/ rucola, lettuces, escaroles/ broad-leaved endives, red mustards, spinaches, chards/ beet leaves, asparagus, bovine liver, bovine edible offals (other than liver and kidney)
What is changing?
The EU has amended the MRLs for acetamiprid as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
Following a request by the European Commission to review the toxicological properties and MRLs for acetamiprid, EFSA (2024) identified a lower acceptable daily intake (ADI) and a lower acute reference dose (ARfD). For products where the existing MRLs caused the new ARfD to be exceeded, EFSA suggested lower MRLs that pose no health risks for the consumer.
Timeline
The new MRLs apply from 19 August 2025. Suppliers exporting products before 19 August 2025 must ensure that these products already comply with the new MRLs if they are expected to remain on the market after 19 August 2025.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of bananas, currants, asparagus, lettuces, escaroles, chards, and spinach should review their current use of acetamiprid with a view to seeking alternative solutions. Suppliers of other affected products should review their use of acetamiprid and assess whether any changes will be needed to existing good agricultural practices (GAP).
A new review of this substance will be carried out in February 2027. Suppliers should continue to monitor levels of acetamiprid and the GAP for its use in apples, pears, quinces, apricots, sweet peppers, cucumbers, and courgettes, so that data can be submitted to the Commission before 24 September 2026.
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
EFSA (2024) Statement on the toxicological properties and maximum residue levels of acetamiprid and its metabolites. EFSA Journal, 22(5): e8759.
Sources
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/158 as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in or on certain products
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Regulation 2025/158
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
EU lowers MRLs for acetamiprid with particular impacts on bananas, currants, asparagus, lettuces, escaroles, chards, and spinach
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/158 as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in or on certain products
What is changing and why?
The European Union has amended the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acetamiprid. A review by the European Food Safety Authority identified a lower acceptable daily intake (ADI) and a lower acute reference dose (ARfD), so for certain products lower MRLs are necessary to avoid health risks to consumers. The products likely to be most significantly affected by these changes are bananas, currants, asparagus, lettuces, escaroles, chards, and spinach. For these products, the MRLs are reduced to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods).
The changes to MRLs are set out in Table 1.
Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of bananas, currants, asparagus, lettuces, escaroles, chards, and spinach should review their current use of acetamiprid with a view to seeking alternative solutions. Suppliers of other affected products should review their use of acetamiprid and assess whether any changes will be needed to existing good agricultural practices (GAP).
A new review will be carried out in February 2027. Suppliers should continue to monitor levels of acetamiprid and the GAP for its use in apples, pears, quinces, apricots, sweet peppers, cucumbers, and courgettes, so that data can be submitted to the Commission before 24 September 2026.
Timeline
The new MRLs will apply from 19 August 2025.
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Regulation 2025/158
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.