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2026/147

Maximum residue levels for benthiavalicarb

  • Food safety
  • Pesticide MRLs

Summary

The European Union (EU) has reduced the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for benthiavalicarb on grapes and tomatoes to the limit of determination (LOD). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) For all other foods, MRLs were already set at the LOD, but some of these are also lowered to reflect the development of more sensitive analytical methods.

EU sets benthivalicarb MRLs to LOD for all products, with impacts on grapes and tomatoes

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/147 of 22 January 2026 amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for benfluralin, benthiavalicarb and penflufen in or on certain products

Update

The European Union (EU) has reduced the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for benthiavalicarb on grapes and tomatoes to the limit of determination (LOD). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) For all other foods, MRLs were already set at the LOD, but some of these are also lowered to reflect the development of more sensitive analytical methods.

Impacted Products

Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nut kernels, pistachios, walnuts, table grapes, wine grapes, potatoes, garlic, onions, shallots, tomatoes, 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, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, wheat

What is changing?

The EU has made the changes to MRLs for benthiavalicarb as summarised in Table 1.

Why?

Benthiavalicarb is no longer approved for use in the EU (see Benthiavalicarb: approval not renewed by EU). The EU therefore proposes to set all benthiavalicarb MRLs at the product-specific LODs. The LODs are updated by the European Commission to reflect the latest analytical methods on the advice of the EU Reference Laboratories for Residues of Pesticides.

Timeline

The new MRLs apply from 12 August 2026. For products imported before that date, the previous MRL applies.

Recommended Actions

Suppliers to the EU market of table and wine grapes and tomatoes must find alternative solutions to benthiavalicarb for use on these products by August 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.

Sources

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/147 as regards maximum residue levels for benfluralin, benthiavalicarb and penflufen in or on certain products

Tables & Figures

Table 1

Source: based on Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/147

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 sets benthivalicarb MRLs to LOD for all products, with impacts on grapes and tomatoes

Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/147 as regards maximum residue levels for benfluralin, benthiavalicarb and penflufen in or on certain products

What is changing and why?

The active substance benthiavalicarb is no longer approved in the European Union (EU) – see Benthiavalicarb: approval not renewed by EU. The EU has lowered the maximum residue levels (MRLs) as summarised in Table 1.

Actions

Suppliers to the EU market of table and wine grapes and tomatoes must find alternative solutions to benthiavalicarb for use on these products by August 2026.

Timeline

The new MRLs apply from 12 August 2026. For products imported before that date, the previous MRL applies.

Tables & Figures

Table 1

Source: based on Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/147

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.