Maximum residue levels for valifenalate

Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1346 of 1 August 2022 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, 8-hydroxyquinoline, pinoxaden and valifenalate in or on certain products

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/129 of 18 January 2023 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for azoxystrobin, prosulfocarb, sedaxane and valifenalate in or on certain products

Update

Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1346, published in August 2022, reduces the existing MRLs for valifenalate on garlic, lettuces, tomatoes and eggplants (aubergines) from February 2023.

In a further Regulation (2023/129) the MRLs for valifenalate in tomatoes and eggplants have been re-evaluated according to set Codex MRLs, and are now set at 0.4 mg/kg.

Impacted Products

table grapes, wine grapes, garlic, tomatoes, aubergines, eggplants, lettuces

What is changing?

Existing MRLs for valifenalate are amended as shown in Table 1.

The LOD is also increased for herbs and edible flowers from 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg; and for teas, coffee, infusions, hops and spices from 0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg. For animal products, the LOD is increased from 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg.

Why?

Following a review of existing MRLs for valifenalate, EFSA (2021a) proposed that the residue definition for products of animal origin should be changed, and the MRLs for certain vegetables should be reduced.

On 14 December 2021, the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted new Codex maximum residue limits (CXLs) for valifenalate in tomatoes and eggplants. Where international standards exist or will soon be completed, they are taken into consideration in the development or adaptation of food law. EFSA (2021b) assessed the CXLs proposed for valifenalate in tomatoes and eggplants, and concluded they are safe for consumers in the EU. These CXLs are therefore set as EU MRLs.

Timeline

The new MRLs will apply from 22 February 2023. Products lawfully placed on the market in compliance with the old MRLs before 22 February 2023, may remain on the market after that date even if they are not compliant with the new MRLs.

MRLs on tomatoes and eggplant set in Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/129 will apply from 26 February 2023.

Recommended Actions

Suppliers of garlic and lettuces should ensure that alternative solutions to the use of valifenalate on these products are used to ensure conformity with an MRL at the limit of determination (LOD).

Suppliers of tomatoes and eggplants must review existing use of valifenalate to ensure conformity of their products with new reduced valifenalate MRLs by February 2023.

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

Sources

Tables & Figures

Sources: based on (a) Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1346; (b) Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/129