China Proposes Revision to Pesticide Maximum Residue Limits in Food

On June 4th, 2018, China Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs opened revised pesticide maximum residue limits (MRL) and pesticide testing method to public feedback. The following are the items in consultation.

• Maximum Residue Limit of 51 Pesticides Including Abamectin in Food

• Maximum Residue Limit of 74 Pesticides Including 2,4-DB in Food

• Residue Determination of 91 Organophosphorus Pesticides and Their Metabolites in Plant-Origin Food: Gas Chromatography

• Determination of Cyanamide Residue in Plant-Origin Food: LC-MS Method

• Determination of Oxine-Copper Residue in Plant-Origin Food: HPLC Method

• Determination of Metaldehyde Residue in Plant-Origin Food: LC-MS Method

Application scope expansion is the major change for MRL items. Pesticides listed in “Maximum Residue Limit of 51 Pesticides Including Abamectin in Food” have extended usage scopes in vegetables and fruit, and those in “Maximum Residue Limit of 74 Pesticides Including 2,4-DB in Food” enlarged their usage scope in condiments. The competent authority regularly monitor the updated data of pesticides, and these amendments will finally be integrated into the revision of GB 2763 (Maximum residue limits for pesticides in food).