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EU Changes Six Maximum Limits for Pesticides in Food Commodities

golden grain crops — Image credit: Stephen Radford via Unsplash

Published October 16, Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2289 has revised maximum residue limits (MRLs) for six pesticides. The updated MRLs come into effect 20 days from the legislation’s publication.

EU MRLs define the highest concentrations of pesticide residues legally permitted in food or feed when the substances are used according to Good Agricultural Practices.

The new regulation amends Annex II of Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 to incorporate the following MRLs:

Pesticide	Commodity	MRL in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
Acequinocyl	Blueberries, cranberries, currants, and gooseberries	2
Deltamethrin	Kiwi fruit	0.15
Deltamethrin	Melons and watermelons	0.03
Dodine	Grapes	2
Maleic Hydrazide	Poultry liver and kidney	0.03
Maleic Hydrazide	Sheep and goat kidney	3
Pinoxaden	Barley, wheat, and rye	0.8
Prothioconazole	Celery (celeriac)	0.1
	Canola (rapeseed)	0.02
	Garlic	0.2
	Apricots	0.3
	Cherries	0.6
	Plums	0.1
	Rice	0.03

The new MRLs were set following the standard procedure for EU MRL revisions.

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KEYWORDS: EU Eurofins maximum levels pesticide residues

The Food Safety Magazine editorial team comprises Bailee Henderson, Director of Content Strategy and news editor ✉, and Adrienne Blume, M.A., Director of Editorial and Industry Engagement.