Changes to Maximum Residue Limits proposed

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for submissions on proposed changes to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of agricultural and veterinary chemicals that are sometimes found in foods.

The proposal includes consideration of MRLs gazetted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) in 2012 for fenthion, as well as other deletions and reductions proposed by APVMA and MRLs requested by other parties to further align the code with Codex or trading partner standards.

“The code ensures that residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals are kept as low as possible and consistent with the approved use of chemical products to control pests and diseases,” said FSANZ CEO Steve McCutcheon.

“MRLs in the code apply to all domestic and imported food. Food with residues exceeding the relevant limit in the code can’t be legally supplied or sold in Australia. FSANZ’s dietary exposure assessment indicates that limits set out in this proposal do not present any public health and safety concerns.”

The closing date for submissions is 23 August 2013. More information on Proposal M1009 - Maximum Residue Limits is available on the FSANZ website.

This information is reproduced with the kind permission of Food Standards Australia New Zealand.