EFSA Reviews Codex Pesticide Residue Limits, Identifies Consumer Health Concerns
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a scientific report evaluating proposed Codex maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides to inform the EU’s position at the 57th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR).
The report reviewed recommendations from the 2025 Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR), which evaluated 38 pesticide active substances, including seven assessed for the first time. EFSA compared proposed Codex MRLs with existing EU limits, assessed supporting residue data, and conducted dietary exposure assessments to evaluate potential consumer health risks.
EFSA identified consumer health concerns associated with several proposed MRLs, including acute exposure risks from cyfluthrin residues in table grapes, indoxacarb in animal products, and spinetoram in broccoli. The agency also identified potential chronic exposure risks associated with proposed boscalid MRLs in animal products.
EFSA recommended further risk management discussions on proposals involving consumer exposure concerns, insufficient supporting data, or differences between EU and Codex risk assessment approaches. The report will inform the EU’s position during CCPR discussions.
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