Maximum residue levels for profenofos
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) is discussing reducing the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for profenofos on mangoes, tomatoes, cotton seeds, certain spices (fruit spices, coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom), and animal products to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01–0.02 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) A reduction of current LODs on other products is also proposed.
EU discusses reduction of profenofos MRLs, with particular impacts on mangoes, tomatoes, cotton seeds, spices, and animal products
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for azocyclotin, chlorfenapyr, cyhexatin, diazinon, dicofol, endosulfan, fenarimol, fenpropathrin and profenofos in or on certain products
Draft Annexes (with amendments to Annex II and Annex V)
Update
The European Union (EU) is discussing reducing the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for profenofos on mangoes, tomatoes, cotton seeds, certain spices (fruit spices, coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom), and animal products to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01–0.02 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) A reduction of current LODs on other products is also proposed.
Impacted Products
Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nut kernels, pistachios, walnuts, mangoes, garlic, onions, shallots, spring onions, Welsh onions, tomatoes, cotton seeds, linseeds, peanuts/groundnuts, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, rapeseeds/canola seeds, soyabeans, mustard seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, borage seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, hemp seeds, castor beans, olives for oil production, oil palm kernels and fruits, kapok, coriander, fennel, cumin, anise/aniseed, black caraway/black cumin, celery, dill, fenugreek, nutmeg, allspice/pimento, Sichuan pepper, caraway, juniper berry, peppercorn, vanilla, tamarind, cardamom, cinnamon, liquorice, turmeric/curcuma, cloves, capers, saffron, mace, animal products
What is changing?
The EU is discussing the reduction of MRLs for profenofos as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
The MRLs for profenofos that have been in place since the adoption of Regulation 396/2005 have never been reviewed. Following a series of evaluations and stakeholder consultations (see EFSA invites submission of data to support review of certain MRLs), the European Food Safety Authority was not able to conclude a risk assessment and establish toxicological reference values due to inadequate data (EFSA 2023).
Timeline
This Regulation is still under discussion. It is expected that new MRLs will apply from late 2026 or early 2027.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of mangoes, tomatoes, cotton seeds, coriander, cumin, fennel, fruit spices, cardamom, and animal products should review their existing use of profenofos and start to identify alternative pesticides.
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.
For further information on the EU’s process and principles for setting MRLs, see Regulation of pesticide residues in the EU - Questions and Answers.
Resources
EFSA (2023) Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for profenofos. EFSA Journal, 21(12): e8445.
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for azocyclotin, chlorfenapyr, cyhexatin, diazinon, dicofol, endosulfan, fenarimol, fenpropathrin and profenofos in or on certain products
Tables & Figures
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EU discusses reduction of profenofos MRLs, with particular impacts on mangoes, tomatoes, cotton seeds, spices, and animal products
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for azocyclotin, chlorfenapyr, cyhexatin, diazinon, dicofol, endosulfan, fenarimol, fenpropathrin and profenofos in or on certain products
Draft Annexes (with amendments to Annex II and Annex V)
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) is discussing the reduction of profenofos maximum residue levels (MRLs) on mangoes, tomatoes, cotton seeds, coriander, cumin, fennel, fruit spices, cardamom, and animal products. This is because the European Food Safety Authority was unable to complete a risk assessment of these MRLs due to inadequate data. Lower MRLs are also proposed for profenofos on a range of other products (see Table 1).
Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of mangoes, tomatoes, cotton seeds, coriander, cumin, fennel, fruit spices, cardamom, and animal products should review their existing use of profenofos and start to identify alternative pesticides.
Timeline
This Regulation is still under discussion. It is expected that new MRLs will apply from late 2026 or early 2027.
Tables & Figures
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.