CAC Proposes to Amend the Maximum Residue Levels of Contaminants and Pesticides in Foods

On August 7, 2024, Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) unveiled the Notification CL 2024/77 and CL 2024/78, seeking for public feedback on proposed amendments to maximum residue levels (MRLs) of contaminants and pesticides in foods. These two proposals were sourced from the discussion output of the 17th and 55th Session of the Codex Committee respectively. Any comments can be sent back prior to October 1, 2024.

Proposal regarding the MRLs of contaminants

1. Revision of the MRLs of lead and cadmium in some food products

Contaminants	Food products	MRL (mg/kg)
Lead	Spices, dried aril	0.9
	Spices, dried floral parts	2.5
	Spices, dried fruit and berries	0.6
	Spices, dried paprika and sumac	0.8
	Spices, dried Sichuan pepper and star anise	3.0
	Spices, dried rhizomes, and roots	2.0
	Spices, dried seeds	0.9
	Spices, dried celery seeds	1.5
	Spices, dried bark	2.5
	Culinary herbs, dried	2.5
	Quinoa	0.2
Cadmium	Quinoa	0.15

2. Development of the Code of Practice for the Prevention or Reduction of Ciguatera Poisoning

Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are a class of toxins produced by marine dinoflagellates. These toxins enter the marine food web when CTX-containing dinoflagellates/algae are consumed by herbivorous fish or shellfish, including some echinoderms.

This document is drafted to provide guidance on recommended practices to prevent or reduce ciguatera poisoning for different types of stakeholders, such as fish sector operators, consumers, etc., so as to minimize CTX’s negative impacts on human activities.

3. The drafting of the sampling plans for methylmercury, total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in foods

Sampling requirements are specified, including the lot weight, weight or number of sublots for methylmercury, as well as total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in different types of foods.

Proposal regarding the pesticides MRLs

The following are parts of revisions of the pesticides MRLs

Pesticides	Food products	MRLs (mg/kg)
Thiophanate-methyl	Almonds	0.15*
Diflubenzuron	Green tea, black tea	40
Deltamethrin	Papaya	0.2

*means at or about the limit of quantification