Brazil Raises Tomato Difenoconazole Limit 90-Fold New Pesticide Residue Standards for Key Crops Take Effect

On July 28, Brazil’s health authority ANVISA issued IN No. 385, revising maximum residue limits (MRLs) for several pesticides in common foods. The most striking change is for tomatoes: the allowed difenoconazole (DIFENOCONAZOL) residue jumps from 0.01 μg/kg to 0.9 μg/kg—a 90-fold increase.

Other major updates include:

• Flumioxazin (FLUMIOXAZINA) set at 0.05 μg/kg for sweet potato, potato, ginger, and yam
• Fluoxastrobin (FLUOXASTROBINA) now allowed at 0.15 μg/kg in potatoes, 0.02 μg/kg in corn and tomato, and 0.09 μg/kg in wheat
• Metribuzim (METRIBUZIM) also set at 0.05 μg/kg for sweet potato, potato, ginger, and yam

These new limits are effective immediately as of their publication in the government gazette. Food industry stakeholders must review and comply with the revised standards to avoid potential regulatory issues.