Chapter 7: Residues

Question 1

Define residues? What is a maximum residue level? How are they determined?

Question!!

Answer 1

Residues: traces of plant protection products left in treated products

1. A maximum residue level (MRL) is the highest level of a plant protection product residue that is legally tolerated in or on food or feed
2. An MRL is intended to be a legally enforceable limit to check whether farmers do follow GAP
3. An MRL is not based on the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of a plant protection product residue
4. An MRL is usually derived from data obtained from 8 to 16 field trials
5. In many situations, the MRL is set at the limit of detection of the PPP and its metabolites
6. MRLs are generally set at a level many times lower than a level, which would be expected to have an adverse effect on human health

Question 2

How sets the MRL?

Answer 2

1. The European Commission fixes MRLs for all food and animal feed
2. The Commission sets a new MRL and amends or removes an existing one after EFSA’s opinion

Question 3

Define the term pre harvest interval?

Answer 3

1. The pre-harvest interval is the period between the last application and harvesting
2. In addition, farmers have to ensure that the pre-harvest interval (PHI) is respected in order to minimize the residue in the harvested crop

Question 4

What is the LOD value?

Answer 4

1. The limit of determination (LOD) represents the MRL for crops on which the plant protection product has not been used or when its use has not left detectable residues
2. The default lowest limit in EU law is 0.01 mg/kg, which corresponds to the lowest limit of analytical determination (LOD)

Question 5

Who is responsible for risk assessment?

Answer 5

EFSA