Pesticide MRLs: Varying Global Pesticide Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) From Apples to Carrots
Navigating varying pesticide maximum residue levels (MRLs) is essential for maintaining product safety, consumer trust, and continued market access, but managing these regulations is a challenge in a rapidly-evolving global market lacking harmonization.
Each market utilizes unique commodity terminologies, crop group definitions, and pesticide residue expressions in their MRL regulations. These variations can be difficult to identify and interpret across countries. For example, as shown in the graphic below, each market has established the MRL relevant to difenoconazole on apple using different terms.
With an increasing spotlight on safety and consumer health, the food industry faces a significant challenge: Navigating the complex and varied regulations surrounding pesticide maximum residue levels and contaminant limits. This white paper explores proactive strategies to enhance and streamline compliance.
This webinar explores the complexity of the regulatory landscape and the challenges associated with pesticide compliance in the food industry.
Discover the gold standard in global pesticide MRL and contaminant limits data. Learn more.
Our Food Safety and Food Fraud Quarterly E-newsletter provides a quarterly update of the top food safety issues, the latest food safety and food fraud news and helpful resources for industry professionals.
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The rise in food safety and food fraud issues in 2024 compared to the previous year highlight the ongoing challenges in the global food supply chain. Our first Quarterly Report of the year will review top food safety and food fraud issues reported in 2024 and recent food fraud news.
2024 Food Fraud Issues A total of 665 food fraud records were documented in FoodChain ID’s Food Fraud Database in 2024, with numbers continuing to go up slightly over the coming weeks.
The top three commodity groups impacted by food fraud issues in 2024 include:
The three most frequently reported types of food fraud in 2024 include:
Botanical Origin Fraud – 19%
Animal Origin Fraud – 19%
Use of Non-food Substance – 16%
2024 Food Safety Issues
More than18,000 food safety alerts were reported in 2024 according to data from FoodChain ID’s Ingredient Risk Identification by HorizonScan™, which is a 9.8% increase in issues compared to the previous year.
The top three commodity groups with the most food safety issues in 2024 include:
The three most frequently reported types of food safety issues in 2024 include:
Pesticides – 15%
Salmonella – 10%
Listeria – 7%
Food Fraud NewsNew source of food fraud information from Türkiye In the 4th quarter of 2024, Türkiye began publicly reporting products identified as potentially hazardous due to spoilage, “alteration,” or those considered to be “counterfeit or adulterated.” The Minister of Agriculture stated that the information will be updated in “real-time.” There are two main sites reporting this information; one is focused on “Foods that Can Endanger Health” and the other is focused on “Imitation or Adulteration of Foods.”
FoodChain ID’s Food Fraud Database analysts will be periodically monitoring both sites for information relevant to food fraud and updating Food Fraud Database records as needed. Some of the records added to date include olive oil adulterated with seeds oils and colors, various botanical and dietary supplements adulterated with active pharmaceutical ingredients, species fraud in meat and dairy products, vegetable oils in cheese and colors in various herbs, spices and vegetable oils.
6-Benzylaminopurine (6-Benzyladenine) in bean sprouts At the end of December, media sources in Vietnam reported four people were arrested for soaking bean sprouts in a solution containing 6-Benzylaminopurine (also known as 6-Benzyladenine). Another facility with the same practice was reported a few days later. One of the four people arrested noted that the substance reduced the roots on the sprouts, made the “shoots plumper, and [gave] them a more attractive appearance.” He also reportedly told police that he felt he had to use the substance because of market competition, stating “if the whole market was clean, I would also produce clean bean sprouts.” What is 6-Benzyladenine? It is a synthetic plant growth regulator/promotor that can also preserve cut flowers and extend the shelf life of cut plant products. There does not appear to be a tolerance established for 6-Benzyladenine in sprouts in Vietnam and, reportedly, the chemical is not permitted for use in food production.
For context, in the U.S., 6-Benzyladenine has residue tolerances established for six fruits and vegetables (not including bean sprouts) at or below 0.02 ppm. There is a tolerance exemption established for apples, pears and pistachios at a specific application rate. This means, per regulation, there cannot be any detectable level of 6-Benzyladenine detected in bean sprouts. This is not a completely new type of food fraud. In 2011, an incident was reported in China in which 40 tons of bean sprouts treated with sodium nitrite, urea, antibiotics and 6-benzyladenine were seized in Shenyang.
FoodChain ID Solution Spotlight: Regulatory Expertise
For many food and beverage companies, the complexity of product development, staff training and ongoing compliance within a global marketplace calls for specialized expertise.
This article explores pesticide residue incidents by country of origin, notifying countries and high-risk commodities, and explores strategies for managing pesticide residue regulations. Read more.
Artwork by FoodChain ID’s Susanne Kuehne
“Italian” tomato purees likely to contain forced-labor tomatoes
According to tests commissioned by the BBC World Service, 17 products sold by several UK supermarkets may contain tomatoes from China using forced labor. Read more.
The European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy, part of the EU Green Deal, is poised to present significant challenges to the food industry. Our whitepaper provides a guide to navigating the complex EU food safety regulatory landscape and tips for companies to proactively manage the impact of EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy on pesticide maximum residue level (MRL) regulations. Read more.
According to data gathered from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) portal, there was a 5.8% increase in reported pesticide residue incidents in 2024 compared to 2023, underscoring the ongoing challenges facing the agricultural and food industries¹. These incidents, which can arise from the use of unauthorized substances or from legal pesticides exceeding established maximum residue levels (MRLs), serve as a reminder of the complexity and importance of meeting varying pesticide regulations.
Top Countries of Origin and Notifying Countries
Countries of Origin
According to data from FoodChain ID’s Ingredient Risk Identification by HorizonScan™, the highest number of reported pesticide residue incidents in 2024 were linked to products originating from Mexico, India and China². As major contributors to the global food supply, these countries play a pivotal role in meeting international demand for fresh produce, grains and other key commodities. However, they face ongoing challenges in monitoring agricultural practices and ensuring compliance with varied international regulations.
Notifying Countries
The United States, France and Japan emerged as the top three countries responsible for notifying global agencies of pesticide residue concerns². Their testing capabilities, coupled with stringent import regulations, enable them to detect anomalies and swiftly issue alerts. These measures help protect public health and drive improvements in farming and supply chain practices.
Commodities Most Frequently Impacted
1. Fruiting Vegetables
This category includes crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. High demand, coupled with potentially intensive pesticide use, can increase the likelihood of residue detection.
2. Unprocessed Cereals
Wheat, rice, and maize make up a large portion of global diets. With multiple handling stages—from field to storage and transport—contamination risks increase if pesticide use and residue limits are not carefully controlled.
3. Citrus Fruit
Oranges, lemons and other citrus varieties remain high in demand worldwide. Their protective rinds can sometimes mask internal residues, making thorough testing protocols essential.
Navigating Pesticide Residues: Tools and Strategies
As the number of reported pesticide residue incidents continues to rise, food businesses and regulators alike are intensifying their efforts to address potential risks. Implementing effective monitoring systems and adopting best practices throughout the supply chain can significantly minimize contamination.
These efforts often involve:
1. Improved Regulatory Monitoring
Monitoring and adhering to maximum residue levels (MRLs) across different markets can be complex. Each country may have its own regulatory framework, and businesses that export or import products must stay current on evolving requirements. Learn how FoodChain ID’s Regulatory Limits solution can help you quickly compare MRL regulations across your critical markets!
2. Enhanced Supply Chain Transparency
From farm to fork, maintaining visibility into every stage of production is critical. This includes tracking inputs at the farm level, preserving accurate documentation and conducting regular testing for pesticide residues.
3. Collaboration and Communication
Governments, industry bodies and private organizations must communicate effectively to share data, best practices and solutions that help ensure food safety and quality.
Quickly determine export risks across different countries with FoodChain ID’s Regulatory Limits solution
Stay ahead of constantly evolving pesticide MRLs, veterinary drug MRLs and contaminant limits. Considered the gold standard, this solution simplifies compliance by providing easy access to up-to-date current, pending and proposed regulatory requirements worldwide. Get started now!
Ingredient Risk Identification by HorizonScan™ Fera Science. (n.d.). HorizonScan: Ingredient risk identification system. FoodChain ID. Retrieved 1/6/2025, from https://www.foodchainid.com/products/horizonscan/
HorizonScan™ was developed by top UK scientists at Fera, formerly the Food and Environment Research Agency, a world-leading scientific organization specializing in food and agriculture. FoodChain ID is the exclusive U.S. distributor of HorizonScan.
Part of FoodChain ID’s ‘It Begins with You’ Webinar Series
Raw materials supply chain risks come in many forms – microbial contamination, chemical contamination including pesticides, fraudulent ingredients and other types of contaminants.
This webinar reviews efficient and effective ways to monitor a wide variety of data sources to stay ahead of potential risks in your supply chain.
The presenters discussed the many types of supply chain risks, how to understand what regulatory limits apply to certain contaminants in your raw materials, and how to be alerted of contamination within the supply chain when it happens.
FoodChain ID Services and Solutions for the Food Industry
Regulatory Limits: A suite of regulatory intelligence services providing global pesticide MRL, veterinary drug MRL and contaminant limit standards
Food Fraud Database: A curated, searchable database of food fraud records to support GFSI-required vulnerability assessments
Regulatory Library: Global regulatory reference database providing instant access to current and historical regulations
Expertise as a Service: Leverage our renowned global expertise to address challenges and achieve objectives across the industry
Food fraud, or economically motivated adulteration, is defined as the intentional misrepresentation of food products for economic gain (1). As the food supply chain grows increasingly complex, the potential for fraudulent activities escalates.
Our video clip below reviews how digital tools can enhance and streamline food fraud risk assessments, featuring FoodChain ID’s Karen Everstine, PhD, MPH, Technical Services Director, Food Safety Solutions.
Want to learn more? Click here to view the full webinar.
Defining Food Fraud
Food fraud (economically motivated adulteration) can take many forms, including substitution or dilution, mislabeling, adding undeclared colors, and the use of non-food grade substances (2). Fraudulent practices not only deceive consumers but also undermine food safety and quality. Additionally, the economic impact of food fraud is substantial. The average cost of a product recall can be around $10 million, and larger recalls can cost over $100 million (3). The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Controls Rule requires the identification of “reasonably foreseeable” food safety hazards in the supply chain, including those arising from economically motivated adulteration (4). The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification programs specifically require a food fraud vulnerability assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities, highlighting the importance of food fraud risk mitigation (5).
External Data Sources for Risk Evaluation
A holistic approach to risk assessment involves an interplay between baseline risks and vulnerabilities and current and emerging risks and vulnerabilities. Evaluating food fraud risks requires data from various external sources, including scientific literature, media reports, regulatory reports, and other relevant publications. By tapping into these external data sources, companies can gain a broader and more nuanced understanding of potential food fraud risks.
The Role of Comprehensive Data
Regulatory alerts are instrumental in identifying potential risks, but they are not sufficient on their own. This is because food fraud is intentional and designed to evade detection. Comprehensive databases, such as FoodChain ID’s Food Fraud Database, are pivotal tools to assess food fraud vulnerabilities. The Food Fraud Database tracks incidents of food fraud, market sampling, scientific literature on fraud detection methods and other risk data from the public domain. Integrating these varied sources provides food safety professionals with a single, trusted source of comprehensive data. Powerful data analytics tools within the system streamline food fraud risk assessments, and customizable alerts notify subscribers of new risks that may impact their products.
Benefits of the Food Fraud Database
Ingredient Groups: Users can build and customize lists of raw materials from the list of more than 5,700 ingredients currently in the Food Fraud Database
Custom Data Exports and Alerts: Ingredient groups can be used to search, create custom data exports, and receive weekly notifications
Holistic Food Fraud Intelligence: The Food Fraud Database goes beyond regulatory alerts to provide insights on food fraud risks from the scientific literature, media reports, and other public sources
Data Analytics: User-friendly tables, charts, and heat maps provide visual tools for understanding potential food fraud risks
Supports Compliance: The Food Fraud Database provides targeted support for compliance with the economically motivated adulteration requirements of the FSMA Preventive Controls Rule and the GFSI Certification Program food fraud vulnerability assessment requirements
FoodChain ID provides digital solutions, expertise and certifications to support compliance with food safety requirements:
Effective food safety risk assessments are crucial for protecting public health, safeguarding brand reputation and ensuring the integrity of the food supply chain. The importance of this process is underscored by regulations such as the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which mandates the identification of biological, chemical, and physical hazards in food production and distribution (1).
Want to learn more? Click here to view the full webinar.
Evaluating and prioritizing food safety risks requires a thorough understanding of baseline vulnerabilities and continual monitoring of current and emerging risks. Food safety professionals should incorporate both internal and external data sources when conducting an ingredient risk assessment. Internal data sources include communications with suppliers and laboratory test results. External sources include regulatory agency alerts, scientific literature and industry reports.
This article outlines three key aspects of a comprehensive ingredient risk assessment:
Identify Baseline Risks and Vulnerabilities
Monitor Current and Emerging Risks
Analyze Comprehensive Data Sources & Continually Monitor for New Risks
1. Identify Baseline Risks and Vulnerabilities
A historical perspective, such as a 5- to 10-year history of regulatory agency alerts, can reveal long-term trends and persistent issues. Scientific literature offers in-depth studies and data on various food safety topics, providing a strong foundation for understanding risks. Reports and white papers from industry and trade organizations offer insights and recommendations based on collective expertise and experience. Media reports from trusted sources can also highlight potential risks that may not be reported in current regulatory alerts.
2. Monitor Current and Emerging Risks
Analyzing both current and emerging risks is essential for maintaining food safety. Recent regulatory agency alerts are a primary source of up-to-date information on potential hazards. Additionally, credible news reports can highlight issues that may not yet be reflected in regulatory data. Regular communication with suppliers ensures that companies are aware of any changes in their supply chains that could impact food safety. Laboratory testing provides concrete evidence of contamination or other issues. Furthermore, recent economic and supply chain pressures can create new vulnerabilities, making it important to stay informed about the broader market context.
3. Analyze Comprehensive Data & Continually Monitor for New Risks
Combining data from various sources on current, emerging and historical risks offers a comprehensive view of supply chain risks. However, food safety risk mitigation doesn’t start and end with the risk assessment. It is imperative to continually monitor for current and emerging risks and industry issues that could lead to an increase in potential hazards including supply shortages, price increases and transportation delays.
Compiling the data required for a comprehensive risk assessment and monitoring for new risks can be tedious when relying on manual processes, such as scanning the internet or monitoring multiple government databases. FoodChain ID’s Ingredient Risk Identification by HorizonScan™ is a supply chain monitoring system of ingredient and supplier threats for food safety professionals to streamline and enhance risk assessments. HorizonScan provides data on food safety incidents from more than 115 global data sources in English and tracks over 550 commodities, 180+ countries of origin and over 40,000 suppliers.
Benefits of Ingredient Risk Identification by HorizonScan
Daily Monitoring: HorizonScan provides customizable daily email alerts, ensuring that subscribers are immediately aware of new hazards that may impact their supply chain
Comprehensive Coverage: With data sourced from global government data sources, HorizonScan provides a comprehensive perspective on food safety issues
Powerful Data Analytics: The system includes a suite of proprietary Risk Assessment and Supplier Check tools. Graphs, trends, data and analytics are provided in a user-friendly interface to easily identify top risks impacting your supply chain
Supports Compliance: HorizonScan supports compliance with FSMA for the identification of biological, chemical and physical hazards
Practical Applications
Integrating external data sources into risk assessment protocols is essential for robust and proactive management of food safety risks. By leveraging the insights and powerful analytics tools provided by systems like HorizonScan, companies can:
Enhance Preparedness: Stay informed about the latest threats and prepare accordingly
Improve Response Times: Quickly address issues that could impact your supply chain, minimizing potential harm
Support Continuous Improvement: Use trend data to refine and improve food safety practices over time
The integration of external data is a vital component of effective risk assessments in the food industry. Tools like HorizonScan provide comprehensive data that help companies stay ahead of potential risks.
FoodChain ID provides digital solutions, expertise and certifications to support compliance with food safety requirements:
Food safety and food fraud are critical issues in today’s global food supply chain. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) are two critical frameworks guiding these efforts. FSMA, enacted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sets stringent requirements for identifying and mitigating food safety hazards. Meanwhile, GFSI provides a global standard for food safety certification, emphasizing the need for comprehensive risk assessments, including those specifically targeting food fraud. Both FSMA and GFSI underscore the importance of leveraging data to conduct thorough risk and vulnerability assessments, ensuring the safety and integrity of food products.
Our video clip below reviews the data required to conduct thorough food safety and food fraud risk assessments, featuring FoodChain ID’s Karen Everstine, MPH, PhD, Technical Services Director, Food Safety Solutions.
Want to learn more? Click here to view the full webinar.
FSMA Requirements for Hazard Identification
FSMA mandates rigorous standards to ensure the safety and integrity of food products. One key requirement is the identification of “reasonably foreseeable” food safety hazards in the supply chain, including those arising from economically motivated adulteration, commonly referred to as food fraud. FSMA emphasizes the need to identify potential hazards that could affect food safety. This includes evaluating a variety of data sources to conduct a thorough hazard identification.
Data sources can include:
Outbreak data: Information on foodborne illness outbreaks can reveal vulnerabilities in the supply chain
Recall data: Analyzing recall information helps identify recurring issues and potential systemic problems
Scientific literature: Peer-reviewed studies provide insights into emerging risks, food fraud vulnerabilities, and best practices for mitigation
Facility-specific information: Historical data and experience within your facility, including supplier relationships and laboratory testing, are invaluable for understanding potential risks (1)
In addition to FSMA requirements, the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification programs, such as SQF and BRCGS, specifically mandate a food fraud vulnerability assessment. This assessment aims to identify and address potential fraud vulnerabilities in the supply chain, going beyond basic food safety protocols.
The assessment includes:
Reviewing supplier relationships: Understanding the history and practices of suppliers to detect potential fraud risks
Laboratory testing: Regular testing of food products to ensure authenticity and detect adulteration
Holistic risk assessment: Integrating current and historical data from various sources to create a comprehensive risk management strategy (2)
FoodChain ID’s Food Fraud Database targets identification of food fraud (economically motivated adulteration) risks by tracking a wide variety of global data sources.
Holistic Approach to Risk Assessment
A holistic approach to risk assessment involves continuously evaluating both baseline and emerging risks.
This dynamic process includes:
Baseline risk assessment: Establishing a foundational understanding of known risks in the supply chain
Routine scanning for emerging risks: Regularly monitoring new data and trends to identify potential new risks
Incorporating emerging risks into baseline assessments: Updating the baseline risk assessment with data from new and emerging risks to maintain a current and effective risk management strategy
By leveraging diverse data sources, food safety professionals can identify and mitigate risks more effectively, ensuring the safety and integrity of the food supply chain. This proactive approach not only complies with regulatory requirements but also builds consumer trust and protects brand reputation.
FoodChain ID provides digital solutions, expertise and certifications to support compliance with food safety requirements:
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) stand as pivotal frameworks ensuring the safety and quality of food products worldwide. These initiatives have been instrumental in transforming food safety practices, emphasizing prevention, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)
FSMA was enacted in 2011 (1) and represents the most significant overhaul of food safety regulations in the U.S. in over 70 years. The primary objective of FSMA is to shift the focus of food safety from reactive responses to preventive measures.
Key elements of FSMA include:
Preventive Controls: FSMA requires food facilities to implement preventive controls to address potential hazards. This includes creating a food safety plan that identifies and evaluates hazards and implementing controls to minimize or prevent these hazards. FoodChain ID’s Ingredient Risk Identification by HorizonScan supports compliance with FSMA for the identification of biological, chemical and physical hazards. FoodChain ID’s Food Fraud Database targets identification of food fraud (economically motivated adulteration) risks by tracking a wide variety of global data sources.
Inspection and Compliance: The act mandates increased frequency of inspections and enhanced compliance standards. High-risk facilities are subject to more frequent inspections to ensure adherence to safety protocols.
Import Safety: To ensure the safety of imported food products, FSMA includes provisions for the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). Importers are required to ensure that their foreign suppliers comply with U.S. food safety standards.
Response: FSMA grants the FDA enforcement authority to respond to and contain food safety issues. This includes mandatory recall authority, enabling the FDA to act swiftly to protect public health.
Enhanced Partnerships: The act encourages stronger collaboration between federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal authorities. This multi-tiered approach aims to improve overall food safety through shared resources and knowledge. (2)
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
GFSI, established in 2000 (3), is an industry-driven initiative providing a global platform for collaboration among the world’s leading industry experts from retail, manufacturing, and food service companies. GFSI’s mission is to “provide continuous improvement in food safety management systems to ensure confidence in the delivery of safe food to consumers.” (4)
Core components of GFSI include:
Benchmarking: GFSI benchmarks existing food safety standards against its own criteria to ensure consistency and effectiveness. Standards that meet GFSI’s rigorous requirements are recognized, facilitating global acceptance and reducing audit duplication.
Harmonization: By harmonizing food safety standards globally, GFSI reduces complexity and costs for food businesses operating in multiple regions. This creates a unified approach to food safety management.
Capacity Building: GFSI supports the development of food safety capabilities globally, particularly in developing regions. This includes training and education activities to enhance local food safety practices.
Stakeholder Engagement: GFSI fosters collaboration among various stakeholders, including regulators, industry leaders, and academic institutions. This collaborative approach drives innovation and continuous improvement.
Transparency and Trust: GFSI promotes transparency in food safety practices, building consumer trust. Certified companies must undergo regular audits and maintain high standards to retain their certification. (5)
Synergies Between FSMA and GFSI
While FSMA is a regulatory framework specific to the U.S., and GFSI is a global initiative led by the private sector, both share common goals.
Synergies between FSMA and GFSI are evident in several areas:
Preventive Approach: Both FSMA and GFSI emphasize the importance of preventive measures in food safety management. By proactively identifying and addressing potential hazards, both frameworks strive to decrease the occurrence of foodborne illnesses.
Global Standards: GFSI’s benchmarking process ensures that its recognized standards align with global best practices, including those outlined in FSMA. This alignment facilitates international trade and compliance for multinational food businesses.
Collaboration: Both frameworks encourage collaboration among stakeholders. FSMA’s enhanced partnerships and GFSI’s stakeholder engagement initiatives create a cohesive network of industry professionals working towards common goals.
Continuous Improvement: The focus on continuous improvement is central to both FSMA and GFSI. By fostering a culture of ongoing evaluation and enhancement, they drive the evolution of food safety practices globally.
As the global food supply chain increases in complexity, the collaboration and alignment between regulatory and industry-led initiatives will be crucial in maintaining high standards of food safety and protecting public health.
FoodChain ID provides digital solutions, expertise and certifications to support compliance with food safety requirements:
When expanding your business into new markets, it’s crucial to navigate the regulatory landscape efficiently and effectively. Our market entry pesticide MRL and contaminant limit checklist serves as a starting point for businesses planning to expand their market reach. Each step is designed to mitigate risks and streamline the process, ensuring that your products not only meet the required standards, but also gain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
With an increasing spotlight on safety and consumer health, the food industry faces a significant challenge: Navigating the complex and varied regulations surrounding pesticide maximum residue levels and contaminant limits. This white paper explores proactive strategies to enhance and streamline compliance.
