Maximum residue levels for metalaxyl
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
- Pesticides
Summary
The European Union (EU) has raised the maximum residue level (MRL) for metalaxyl on honey.
Previously the EU adopted Codex maximum residue levels (CXLs) for metalaxyl on pineapple and dried ginseng and lowered other MRLs, with potential impacts on suppliers of lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans.
EU raises MRLs for metalaxyl on honey
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140 of 22 January 2026 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, chlormequat, metalaxyl-M, pyraclostrobin, sulfoxaflor and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/115 of 21 January 2025 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as regards maximum residue levels for fluxapyroxad, lambda-cyhalothrin, metalaxyl, and nicotine in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 of 21 May 2024 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Update
The European Union (EU) has raised the maximum residue level (MRL) for metalaxyl on honey.
Previously the EU adopted Codex maximum residue levels (CXLs) for metalaxyl on pineapple and dried ginseng and lowered other MRLs, with potential impacts on suppliers of lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans.
Impacted Products
Lemons, limes, mandarins, apples, pears, table grapes, wine grapes, onions, sweet peppers/ bell peppers, melons, watermelons, globe artichokes, soyabeans, oil palm fruits, cocoa beans, peppercorns, kidney and edible offals from swine, bovine and equine liver, bovine and equine kidney and edible offals, kidney and edible offals from sheep, goat, and other farmed animals, pineapple, ginseng, honey and other apiculture products
What is changing?
The EU has raised the MRL for metalaxyl on honey from 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg (Regulation 2026/140).
Previously, the EU raised the MRLs for metalaxyl on pineapple from 0.01 to 0.1 mg/kg, and on ginseng from 0.05 to 0.06 mg/kg. The MRLs for metalaxyl for lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans were reduced to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods). The EU also amended the MRLs for metalaxyl on other products as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed the metalaxyl MRLs for various products based on available information (EFSA 2021, 2025). For products where complete information was provided, EFSA recommended maintaining the MRL, or adjusting it slightly to ensure safety for consumers.
For products where data gaps were not addressed, and for products with identified risks, EFSA suggested setting lower alternative MRLs, or replacing those MRLs with the product-specific LOD.
For grapes, onions, potatoes, and peppercorns, CXLs were considered safe by EFSA (2022) and can therefore be adopted.
Based on data submitted by manufacturers, EFSA (2023a) recommended new, higher MRLs for oil palm fruits from Colombia and peppercorns from Viet Nam to avoid trade barriers.
On 2 December 2023, the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted new CXLs for metalaxyl on multiple products. For pineapple and ginseng, EFSA (2023b) did not identify risks to consumers in the EU.
Timeline
The new MRL on honey applies from 11 February 2026.
The MRLs on pineapple and dried ginseng apply from 11 February 2025.
The MRLs in Table 1 apply from 11 December 2024.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers of products affected, in particular suppliers of lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans, should review their current use of metalaxyl and look for possible alternative solutions.
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 (2021) Evaluation of confirmatory data following the Article 12 MRL review for metalaxyl‐M. EFSA Journal, 19(12): e06996.
EFSA (2022) Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 53rd session of the codex committee on pesticide residues (CCPR). EFSA Journal, 20(9): e07521.
EFSA (2023a) Setting of import tolerances for metalaxyl‐M in oil palms fruits and peppercorn. EFSA Journal, 21(5): e08008.
EFSA (2023b) Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 54th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). EFSA Journal, 21(8): e08111.
EFSA (2025) Modification of the existing maximum residue level for metalaxyl-M in honey. EFSA Journal, 23(3): e9296.
Sources
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140 as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, chlormequat, metalaxyl-M, pyraclostrobin, sulfoxaflor and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/115 as regards maximum residue levels for fluxapyroxad, lambda-cyhalothrin, metalaxyl, and nicotine in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Regulation 2024/1342
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 raises MRLs for metalaxyl on honey
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140 as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, chlormequat, metalaxyl-M, pyraclostrobin, sulfoxaflor and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/115 as regards maximum residue levels for fluxapyroxad, lambda-cyhalothrin, metalaxyl, and nicotine in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has raised the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for metalaxyl on honey from 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg.
In 2025, the EU raised the MRLs for metalaxyl on pineapple from 0.01 to 0.1 mg/kg, and on ginseng from 0.05 to 0.06 mg/kg, in line with new Codex MRLs (CXLs).
In 2024, the EU amended the MRLs for metalaxyl as summarised in Table 1, with particular impacts on suppliers of lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans.
Actions
Suppliers of lemons, apples, pears, onions, globe artichokes, and soyabeans in particular should review their current use of metalaxyl and look for possible alternative solutions.
Timeline
The new MRL on honey applies from 11 February 2026.
The MRLs on pineapple and dried ginseng apply from 11 February 2025.
The MRLs in Table 1 apply from 11 December 2024.
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Regulation 2024/1342
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.