Regulatory limits on the highest concentration of a pesticide or veterinary drug residue that is legally tolerated in or on food or feed, ensuring consumer safety and facilitating international trade.
Foresight tracks Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) developments and surfaces the alerts most likely to matter before they turn into missed deadlines, recalls, or escalation work.
Not ready for a trial? Take the 3-minute readiness assessment
Current activity
45% above the prior 8-week baseline
3-month trend
Latest alerts below
Last updated
18 May 2026, 13:29
Source-backed regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight, with the newest developments first.
Great Britain HSE Proposes Future MRL Amendments for Indoxacarb
HSE plans to tighten Great Britain’s maximum residue levels for the pesticide indoxacarb, retaining only MRLs that meet current toxicological benchmarks, lowering others to analytical limits, and targeting adoption in July 2026 with entry into force six months later. Food and agricultural businesses placing indoxacarb-treated commodities on the GB market should plan for stricter residue limits, monitor the adoption timetable, and prepare to generate or supply supporting residue data over the next five years to avoid defaulting to lower MRLs.
United KingdomGermany Issues Food Warning For Ghorban Bratolivenöl Olive Oil Due To Excess MCPD Esters
In May 2026, German food-safety authorities issued a nationwide consumer warning for a batch of Ghorban Bratolivenöl olive oil after MCPD fatty acid esters were found above legal limits. Retailers and food business operators should withdraw the affected lot, check distribution in the listed federal states, and review supplier controls on refined oils to avoid similar recalls.
GermanyIndia BIS Consults On Draft Standards For Orthosiphon Root And Hydrogen Generators
In May 2026, the Bureau of Indian Standards opened public consultations on a new Indian Standard for Orthosiphon rubicundus root used in traditional medicine and a second revision of IS 16509 on safety requirements for hydrogen generators using water electrolysis. These drafts signal upcoming Indian specifications for herbal raw materials and hydrogen equipment that could shape quality controls, testing expectations, and certification conditions for suppliers to the Indian market, so impacted firms should review and consider commenting before the July 2026 deadline.
IndiaEU Council Presidency Compromise Texts and Explanatory Notes on Food and Feed Safety Omnibus Regulation Proposal
In May 2026 the EU Council Presidency tabled several non‑public compromise texts and explanatory notes for the Food and Feed Simplification Regulation, which would amend multiple core EU food and feed safety laws in a single omnibus act. This indicates that Council negotiations on the package are progressing, and food, feed, pesticide and biocides supply chains should anticipate future changes to hygiene, residue, animal welfare and official control requirements as the text is finalised.
European UnionEU EESC Opinion on Food and Feed Simplification Omnibus
In April 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee published a detailed opinion on the EU Food and Feed simplification omnibus package, backing simplification while proposing targeted changes to pesticide, biocontrol, GMO, seed and food/feed safety rules. The non-binding recommendations signal likely pressure in upcoming negotiations for more flexible yet harmonised authorisation, mutual recognition, grace periods and labelling for plant protection products, MRLs and GM-derived foods, which could materially reshape future compliance obligations for EU food, feed and agrochemical supply chains.
European UnionItalian Chamber of Deputies Subsidiarity Opinion on EU Food and Feed Safety Omnibus Proposal COM(2025)1030
Italy’s Chamber of Deputies has submitted a subsidiarity and proportionality opinion to the EU Council on the Food and Feed Simplification proposal COM(2025)1030, which would amend core EU rules on food hygiene, maximum residue limits, plant protection products and biocides. This procedural step does not itself change compliance obligations but confirms that significant revisions to pesticides, biocides and official control requirements remain on track, signalling future regulatory impacts for food and feed supply chains.
European UnionGermany BfR Updates Risk Assessment of Mycotoxins in Plant-Based Drinks
Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has updated its assessment of mycotoxins and plant toxins in 162 soy, almond and oat drinks sold as milk alternatives, finding medium-likelihood health risks for small children from aflatoxin B1 in some almond drinks and highlighting high T‑2/HT‑2 contributions from oat drinks. The opinion shows that EU contaminant limits currently cover raw almonds, oats, soybeans and milk but not plant-based drinks, signalling a regulatory gap and increasing pressure for future maximum levels or tighter market surveillance for these products and vulnerable consumers.
European UnionGermanyEU Council Presidency Explanatory Note On Omnibus X Food And Feed Safety Compromise (Cluster C)
The Council Presidency has issued an explanatory note detailing compromise amendments to the Omnibus X package, which would clarify and streamline key EU food and feed safety rules across multiple core regulations. If adopted, these changes will tighten how GM-derived products, feed additives, labelling and official controls are defined and managed, shaping future compliance obligations for food, feed and agri-chemical operators in the EU single market.
European UnionChina Proposes National Food Safety Standard on Control of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Food
China is consulting on a draft national food safety standard that sets process-based requirements to control polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination in foods from primary production through processing and distribution. If adopted, this will push food producers and exporters to demonstrate tighter control of PAH risks in farming, drying, smoking, frying and oil processing practices when supplying the Chinese market.
ChinaBrazil: Investigation Reveals Delayed Recall Of Packaged Beans With Glyphosate 355× Above Limit
An investigative report drawing on Brazilian agriculture ministry enforcement files finds that packaged Dona Dê brand beans sold by NJF Indústria e Comércio contained glyphosate residues 355 times above the legal limit and remained on the market for about a year before a recall, amid a broader pattern of pesticide non-compliance across multiple states. This points to systemic weaknesses in Brazil’s pesticide residue monitoring and enforcement that heighten food safety and reputational risk for bean and other food producers, and may prompt stronger sanctions, greater transparency on non-conforming brands, and tighter supply chain controls.
BrazilUS EPA Establishes Tolerance Exemption for Oxirane, 2-Phenyl- Polymer With Oxirane (CAS 2983072-24-6) in Pesticide Formulations
In May 2026, EPA finalized a rule under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act exempting residues of oxirane, 2-phenyl-, polymer with oxirane (CAS 2983072-24-6) used as an inert ingredient in pesticide formulations from tolerance requirements. This broad tolerance exemption simplifies registration and use of affected pesticide products on food and feed commodities but gives stakeholders only until 13 July 2026 to file any objections, so regulatory and product teams should confirm whether this ingredient features in current or planned formulations.
United StatesEFSA Opinion on Modified MRL for Cycloxydim in Honey
In May 2026, EFSA issued a reasoned opinion supporting a modified EU maximum residue level for the pesticide cycloxydim in honey, finding the available data and enforcement method sufficient to underpin an updated MRL proposal. This scientific conclusion signals that EU risk managers may now move to amend Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, so honey producers and pesticide users should anticipate a revised, enforceable limit on cycloxydim residues in apiculture products.
European Union
NetherlandsJapan CAA Announces 19 May 2026 Meeting on Pesticide Residue Standards in Food
Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency has scheduled a 19 May 2026 advisory council meeting to discuss setting standards for pesticide residues in food, with materials to be published in advance. This signals that Japanese pesticide maximum residue limits are under active review, giving food and agrochemical businesses early warning of potential future changes to compliance thresholds.
JapanGreece Reports March 2026 Pesticide-Residue Monitoring Results For Plant-Based Foods
In May 2026 Greece reported that 97.7% of 311 plant-based food samples tested for pesticide residues in March 2026 complied with EU maximum residue limits, with seven non-compliant cases identified. These results confirm generally high compliance but highlight targeted enforcement against specific products and banned active substances, reinforcing the need for continued monitoring and supply-chain controls rather than signalling any immediate change in legal requirements.
GreeceEU Council Presidency Tables Compromise Text on Food and Feed Safety Simplification Regulation
In April 2026 the Council Presidency tabled a compromise text on the Commission’s broad Food and Feed Simplification Regulation, which would amend ten core EU food and feed safety laws to streamline procedures while maintaining high protection levels. If adopted largely as proposed, this package would accelerate access to biocontrol pesticides and biocides, tighten import rules for the most hazardous pesticides, reduce recurring renewal and labelling burdens for feed additives and official controls, and reshape long-term compliance planning for agrifood supply chains across the EU.
European UnionEU Council Presidency Sets Out Omnibus X Compromise on Pesticide MRLs and Biocidal Products
The EU Council Presidency has issued a steering note on the Omnibus X food and feed safety package setting out compromise amendments to tighten pesticide MRL rules for non-approved hazardous substances and to shift most biocidal active substance approvals to unlimited duration. If agreed, these changes would move EU import standards closer to a zero-tolerance approach for high-risk pesticides while reshaping biocides approval and renewal strategies, raising future compliance stakes for agri-food exporters, pesticide manufacturers, and biocides companies.
European UnionEFSA Registers Pesticides MRL Intake Application on Sulfuryl Fluoride in Cereals
In May 2026 EFSA registered a pesticides MRL application (EFSA-Q-2026-00257) for sulfuryl fluoride residues in a range of cereals, currently at intake stage with no opinion yet. This starts an EU risk assessment that could lead to revised residue limits for cereal supply chains, so manufacturers and grain handlers relying on sulfuryl fluoride should closely monitor the forthcoming EFSA opinion and regulatory follow-up.
European UnionNorway Consults On EEA Implementation Of EU Pesticide Residue Sampling And Analysis Regulation (EU) 2026/765
Norway is preparing to implement Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/765, which sets harmonised EU methods for sampling, analysis and interpretation of results in official controls of pesticide residues in food and feed, with application from 1 January 2027. This will standardise pesticide residue monitoring across EU and EEA markets and may require control authorities, laboratories and food and feed businesses to align sampling plans and analytical procedures ahead of the 2027 application date.
European Union
NorwayEuropean Economic AreaNorway Launches Consultation on EU Draft Correcting Fenpyrazamine MRLs
Norway is consulting on an EU draft regulation that corrects maximum residue limits for the pesticide fenpyrazamine under the EU MRL Regulation. The change reinstates Codex-based limits for specific berries and animal products, with limited domestic impact but potential implications for importers, residue monitoring, and future MRL compliance planning.
European UnionNorwayEU Council Antici Group To Examine Omnibus X Food And Feed Safety Compromise Texts
In mid-May 2026 the EU Council's Antici Group will review Presidency compromise texts for the Omnibus X package to simplify and strengthen core food and feed safety legislation, including pesticides, biocides and MRL rules. This signals that political negotiations on the wide-ranging Omnibus X reforms are accelerating, so food, agriculture and chemical supply chains should prepare for potential tightening and streamlining of approvals, residue limits and official controls once a Council position is agreed.
European UnionThese are just a few of the most recent Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) alerts. Foresight tracks every jurisdiction, every day — and surfaces only what affects your portfolio, with full citations and evidence.
Start free trialTopic context
Definition
Regulatory limits on the highest concentration of a pesticide or veterinary drug residue that is legally tolerated in or on food or feed, ensuring consumer safety and facilitating international trade.
Industry relevance
Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) developments can change product scope, supplier expectations, market access, reporting duties, and risk ownership. Foresight tracks the signals early so teams can respond before obligations become urgent.
Foresight tracking
Foresight monitors official sources, extracts structured regulatory intelligence, and maps alerts to a customer's products, substances, markets, and priorities so teams see the relevant signal with source evidence for review.
Everything you need to know about Foresight's regulatory intelligence platform
Still have questions? Get in touch with our team
Subscribe to Foresight Weekly for expert-picked regulatory developments across chemicals, sustainability, product safety, ESG, and HSE.
Free forever. Unsubscribe anytime.
Read by professionals at
