Maximum residue levels for deltamethrin
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
- Pesticides
Summary
The European Union (EU) is discussing an increase in the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for deltamethrin on kiwi fruits, melons, and watermelons. In May 2026 the MRL was increased on cherries.
EU discusses increases in MRLs for deltamethrin on kiwi fruits, melons, and watermelons
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden and prothioconazole in or on certain products
Draft Annex [PLAN/2025/3053]
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/876 of 21 April 2026 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid, aclonifen, deltamethrin, oxathiapiprolin and potassium phosphonates in or on certain products
Update
The European Union (EU) is discussing an increase in the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for deltamethrin on kiwi fruits, melons, and watermelons. In May 2026 the MRL was increased on cherries.
Impacted Products
Kiwi fruits, melons, watermelons
What is changing?
The EU is discussing the changes to MRLs listed in Table 1.
Other recent MRL changes
In May 2026, the EU increased the MRL for deltamethrin on cherries from 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg.
In July 2025, the EU raised the MRL for deltamethrin on papayas from 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg.
Why?
The European Food Safety Authority analysed an application by the producer of deltamethrin to increase the MRLs on kiwis, melons, and watermelons, and concluded that this change poses no risks to consumers (EFSA 2026).
Timeline
The new MRLs for kiwis, melons, and watermelons are expected to apply in the second half of 2026.
The new MRL for cherries applies from 12 May 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.
The increased MRL for cherries in May 2026 followed an evaluation by EFSA (2025). In June 2025, the EU raised the MRL for deltamethrin on papayas from 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg in line with the Codex MRL (CXL) adopted in 2024.
Resources
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1164 as regards maximum residue levels for cyantraniliprole, cyflumetofen, deltamethrin, mefentrifluconazole, mepiquat and oxathiapiprolin in or on certain products
EFSA (2025) Modification of the existing maximum residue level for deltamethrin in cherries. EFSA Journal, 23(3): e9314.
EFSA (2026) Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for deltamethrin in kiwi, melons and watermelons. EFSA Journal, 24(1): e9818.
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden and prothioconazole in or on certain products
Draft Annex [PLAN/2025/3053]
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/876 as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid, aclonifen, deltamethrin, oxathiapiprolin and potassium phosphonates in or on certain products
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Draft Annex [PLAN/2025/3053]
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 discusses increases in MRLs for deltamethrin on kiwi fruits, melons, and watermelons
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden and prothioconazole in or on certain products
Draft Annex [PLAN/2025/3053]
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/876 as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid, aclonifen, deltamethrin, oxathiapiprolin and potassium phosphonates in or on certain products
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) is discussing an increase in the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for deltamethrin on kiwis, melons, and watermelons (see Table 1).
An application for a change of MRLs by the producer of deltamethrin was evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority, and the requested changes were found to be safe for consumers.
In May 2026, the MRL was increased from 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg on cherries.
Timeline
The new MRLs for kiwis, melons, and watermelons are expected to apply in the second half of 2026.
The new MRL for cherries applies from 12 May 2026.
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Draft Annex [PLAN/2025/3053]
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.