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.
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Last updated
23 May 2026, 11:18
Source-backed regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight, with the newest developments first.
EFSA Proposes Higher Acequinocyl MRLs for Cane Fruits and Small Berries in the EU
EFSA has issued a May 2026 reasoned opinion proposing higher EU maximum residue limits for the acaricide acequinocyl in cane fruits and other small fruits and berries while confirming that the existing honey MRL can remain at 0.05 mg/kg. If the European Commission follows these recommendations, berry growers and crop protection suppliers will gain additional authorised acequinocyl uses, with EFSA’s modelling indicating that consumer exposure would remain comfortably below toxicological reference values.
European UnionSlovenia Recalls Sichuan Pepper For Excess Pesticide Residues
On 21 May 2026, Slovenia's food safety authority announced a recall of Sichuan pepper products after pesticide residues were found above legal limits. The action underscores stricter enforcement of pesticide maximum residue levels in imported foods, requiring retailers and food operators to pull affected batches and review supply chain controls.
SloveniaUS EPA Establishes Aluminum Tolerance Exemption for Seed Treatment Pesticide Formulations
US EPA has finalized a rule exempting residues of aluminum (CAS 7429-90-5) from food tolerance requirements when used as an inert seed treatment colourant in pesticide formulations at up to 5 percent by weight, effective in May 2026. This gives pesticide registrants a clearer path to market aluminum-based seed treatment products without numerical residue limits, while obliging them to stay within the 5 percent cap, occupational-use restriction, and a July 2026 deadline for any objections or hearing requests.
United StatesNorway Implements EU Limits for Deoxynivalenol (DON) in Food (Regulation 2024/1022)
Norway has implemented EU Regulation 2024/1022, which tightens maximum levels of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in cereals and cereal-based foods following its earlier application across the EU. Grain suppliers and food manufacturers now need to ensure monitoring, specifications and supplier controls align with the stricter DON thresholds and transition rules to avoid non-compliant product on the EEA market.
European UnionEuropean Economic Area
NorwayGermany Issues Food Warning For EnerBiO Dinkel Waffeln Over Ochratoxin A Exceedance
In May 2026 German authorities issued a nationwide food safety warning for Rossmann’s enerBiO Dinkel Waffeln 115 g after detecting Ochratoxin A above the permitted limit. The incident underscores the need for rigorous mycotoxin controls in baby and children’s food and highlights active market surveillance that can trigger rapid product withdrawals across multiple German states.
GermanyCarbofuran Detected in Limes From Brazil Via Netherlands – RASFF Alert Notified by Belgium
Belgium has raised an EU RASFF alert after detecting the unauthorised pesticide carbofuran in limes from Brazil routed via the Netherlands in early May 2026. This signals a serious food safety non-compliance in the citrus supply chain and may prompt enhanced checks on similar imports, even though specific withdrawal or recall measures are not detailed in the public weekly summary.
European Union
Belgium
Netherlands
BrazilEU RASFF Alerts on Mycotoxins in Nuts and Coffee (May 2026)
In early May 2026, EU RASFF alerts flagged excessive aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in specific consignments of pistachios, ground peanuts, almonds, sesame seeds and coffee traded by Belgium, Germany and France. These enforcement cases highlight ongoing scrutiny of mycotoxin controls in nut and coffee supply chains, signalling higher rejection and recall risk for importers and retailers without robust testing, supplier assurance and traceability.
European UnionBelgiumGermany
FranceNetherlands
SpainUnited States
Jordan
Uganda
Italy
EthiopiaNetherlands Notifies RASFF Of Monocrotophos In Prickly Pears From Mexico
On 08 May 2026, the Netherlands notified an EU RASFF alert after detecting the pesticide monocrotophos in prickly pear fruit imported from Mexico. This case highlights ongoing scrutiny of pesticide residues in imported produce and should prompt importers and retailers using similar fruit supply chains to reassess supplier controls and residue testing.
European UnionNetherlands
MexicoFSANZ Approves 2024 MRL Harmonisation (M1023) Variation to Schedule 20 (Australia Only)
In April 2026 Food Standards Australia New Zealand approved Proposal M1023 to vary Schedule 20 of the Food Standards Code, updating hundreds of maximum residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals in foods for Australia based on Codex, trading partner and APVMA requests. These harmonised MRLs are intended to ease import and export constraints while keeping residues below health-based guidance values, so food and agriculture businesses should review affected commodities and prepare for compliance once the variation is gazetted.
AustraliaJapan CAA Issues Notice on Partial Revision of Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives (Isocycloseram and Other Active Substances)
Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency has issued a 20 May 2026 implementation notice partially revising national food and additive standards to update pesticide-residue provisions for isocycloseram, oxolinic acid, quizalofop herbicides, pyflubumide, phenmedipham, and benzyladenine. Companies growing, formulating, or importing products that use these actives for the Japanese market should reassess residue-testing programmes and compliance documentation against the revised Japanese standards as the detailed amendment text is applied.
JapanCouncil Antici Group Meeting On Omnibus X Food And Feed Package
The Council’s Antici Group will meet on 22 May 2026 to examine the Presidency’s compromise text for the Omnibus X food and feed regulation, which would amend a wide range of EU food, feed, pesticide and biocide legislation. This marks a more advanced phase of Council negotiations, signalling that future obligations for food business operators, PPP/biocide authorisation holders and official control authorities are taking shape even though no new requirements apply until the regulation is formally adopted and implemented.
European UnionEU Parliament ENVI–AGRI Committees Discuss Commission Food And Feed Safety Omnibus Package
On 5 May 2026 the European Commission presented its Food and Feed Safety Omnibus simplification package to the Parliament’s ENVI and AGRI committees, moving the December 2025 proposals into the parliamentary phase. This hearing signals that major changes to EU pesticide, biocides, food and feed safety, residue and official‑control rules are progressing, so agri‑food and crop‑protection businesses should start planning for streamlined but potentially tighter authorisation and import‑residue regimes.
European UnionBelgium Notifies EU RASFF Alert on Chlorpyrifos in Corn From Argentina
In May 2026 Belgium notified an EU RASFF alert on unauthorised chlorpyrifos residues exceeding EU limits in corn imported from Argentina and distributed to several Member States. This enforcement case underscores tight pesticide residue controls on cereal imports and signals heightened scrutiny of suppliers and MRL compliance in similar grain supply chains.
European UnionBelgiumFranceGermanyNetherlands
ArgentinaSpainEMA Publishes CVMP May 2026 Agenda With MRL Evaluation Guideline And Immunological Concept Papers
EMA has published the CVMP’s 19–21 May 2026 agenda, highlighting planned adoption of a new guideline on when MRL evaluations are needed for certain biological substances, concept papers to revise key immunological veterinary guidance, and appointment of rapporteurs for a new MRL application. These items signal upcoming changes in how veterinary MRL needs are assessed and how immunological products are developed and authorised in the EU, so veterinary pharma and food supply stakeholders should monitor the meeting outcome for new guidance and future consultations.
European UnionNorway Recalls Apples From Argentina Over Excess Propargite Residues
In May 2026 Norway notified the EU food safety alert system RASFF of a serious-risk exceedance of the pesticide propargite in red apples imported from Argentina and recalled the product from consumers. This enforcement action underlines strict control of pesticide maximum residue limits in fresh produce and the need for importers and retailers to maintain robust residue monitoring and supplier assurance for fruit supply chains.
NorwayArgentinaFSANZ Board Approves New Processing Aids and 2024 MRL Harmonisation (Notification Circular 394-26)
Food Standards Australia New Zealand has approved three new processing aids and a 2024 maximum residue limit harmonisation package for inclusion in the binational Food Standards Code following its 29 April 2026 Board meeting. These changes, now under a 60-day review by the Food Ministers’ Meeting, will broaden permitted enzyme and resin uses and adjust pesticide residue limits, so food and beverage businesses should prepare for updated production and compliance parameters.
Australia
New ZealandFSANZ Notification Circular 395-26: New Applications and MRL Harmonisation Proposal
FSANZ has issued Notification Circular 395-26 (19 May 2026) announcing acceptance of a new enzyme processing aid application, preparation of the 2025 MRL harmonisation proposal, commencement of a novel food assessment, and new APVMA notices on potential pesticide MRL changes. These early-stage steps signal likely future amendments to the Food Standards Code and Schedule 20, giving food and agriculture businesses advance warning of emerging changes to processing aids, novel ingredients and maximum residue limits.
AustraliaNew ZealandSpain NGO Report Highlights Pesticide Residues and EU Food and Feed Omnibus Risks
Ecologistas en Acción’s 2026 “Directo a tus hormonas” report uses Spain’s 2024 official pesticide residue monitoring data to show widespread contamination of common foods, including high use of endocrine-disrupting and PFAS pesticides and frequent multiple residues. These findings, combined with criticism of the EU Food and Feed Omnibus proposal and persistent use of non-authorised and candidate-for-substitution substances, signal rising regulatory and reputational risk around pesticide use, residue limits, and food import strategies for Spanish and EU food supply chains.
SpainEuropean UnionBrazil Anvisa Begins PARA 2026 Pesticide Residue Sampling in Foods
Brazil’s health regulator has launched the 2026 cycle of its national pesticide residue monitoring programme (PARA), with thousands of samples of priority fruit and vegetable commodities being collected across most states between May and December 2026. This marks continued enforcement focus on pesticide residue compliance in the Brazilian food supply, signalling ongoing scrutiny and potential follow-up measures for growers, distributors and retailers whose products exceed permitted levels.
BrazilFoodwatch Tests Find EU-Banned Pesticide Residues in Tea, Rice and Spices Sold in Europe
Foodwatch’s 2026 lab tests on 64 tea, rice and spice products sold in four EU countries found residues of 27 pesticides that are no longer approved in the EU, with multiple residues per product and two French brands exceeding legal limits. These findings, tied to gaps in EU pesticides and food law and to the controversial Food and Feed Safety Omnibus proposal, increase pressure for stricter residue limits, import controls and supply-chain due diligence on banned pesticide use in third countries.
European UnionFranceGermany
AustriaNetherlandsThese 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.
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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.
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