EU Revises Maximum Residue Limits of Fipronil in Certain Products

In a recent development, the European Union (EU) has revised the maximum residue limits of fipronil, an insecticide, in certain products. The new regulation, numbered (EU) 2024/347, was announced by the EU Commission on January 22, 2024. This article provides an overview of the revised limits and their implications.

The EU Commission has issued Regulation (EU) 2024/347, amending the maximum residue limits of fipronil in specific products. Fipronil is widely used as a pesticide and is found in various agricultural and food products. The revised limits, outlined in Annex II and Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, will have an impact on the acceptable levels of fipronil residues in certain food categories.

Annex II of the regulation includes a list of food categories and their corresponding maximum residue levels (MRLs) for fipronil. Notable food categories affected by the revision include grapefruit, almonds, apples, onions, sorghum, celery, milk, and honey, among others. The MRL for fipronil in these products has been set at 0.005 mg/kg.

Conversely, Annex V of the regulation removes the specific fipronil column, indicating that the substance will no longer be regulated under this annex. This change implies that fipronil will not be subject to specific MRLs in the products listed in Annex V.

It is important to note that the revised regulation will come into effect 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Stakeholders in the food and agriculture industry should familiarize themselves with the updated MRLs to ensure compliance with the new requirements.

The EU has introduced a revised regulation (EU) 2024/347, which amends the maximum residue limits of fipronil in certain products. This update impacts the acceptable levels of fipronil residues in various food categories. Stakeholders involved in the production, distribution, and import/export of these products should take note of the revised limits to ensure compliance with the EU's regulations on pesticide residues.