EU Residue Testing To Be Harmonized
27 April 2007 The European Commission (EC) recommendations follow a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) risk assessment that found 92 of the 236 active ingredients evaluated were unlikely to present risks to consumers. For the remaining 144 substances, while the assessment did not prove any risks, the initial screening could not exclude the potential for risk.
This work is the beginning of an effort to come to full EU harmonisation of national maximum residue (MRL) levels for pesticides in the member states. EU wide MRL are already set for about 250 active ingredients. MRLs that are considered safe for the population in one member state may not necessarily be safe for the population in other countries due to different food consumption habits across Europe. Presently, each member state has set its residue levels based on national diets and its own risk assessments.
Member states will now commence the EU testing program under a series of standards, which is likely lead the EC to establish temporary EU-wide MRLs before final limits are set.
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