SAFEGUARDS | Food NO. 098/17

On April 7, 2017 the Republic of South Africa issued a draft amendment to its regulations governing the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides that may be present in foodstuffs [1]. Comments to this amendment can be made until July 7, 2017. The main changes are to the definitions of groups, some MRL revisions and the removal of some prohibited residues.

Group Definitions

As many regulatory locations, the Republic of South Africa has established group definitions.

Grouping definitions added to this regulation are:

  • Berries group
  • Brassica vegetables or cruciferae
  • Citrus group
  • Cucurbits group
  • Leaf vegetables
  • Leguminous beans group
  • Onion bulb group
  • Pepper group
  • Root and tuber vegetable group
  • Stone fruits
  • Tree nuts

Definitions that were either removed or changed are:

  • Beans
  • Citrus fruits
  • Cruciferae
  • Cucurbits
  • Peas
  • Peas (whole)
  • Stone fruits

Removal of prohibited residues

Notice 862 on July 29, 2016 prohibited the use of:

  • Aldicarb for bananas and coffee, citrus, grapes and tomatoes, cotton seed and sugar cane, hops (dry), sweet potatoes and ground nuts, Macadamia nuts green mealies, pecans
  • Aldrin for various foodstuffs
  • Dinoseb for green mealies

Notice 853 of 2012 prohibited Endosulfan.

This amendment reflects the changes of these notices, prohibiting the uses of these pesticides, and deleting their MRLs.

Revision of MRLs

Chemical Substance Foodstuffs MRL (mg/kg)
Boscalid Tomatoes 0.01
Cyromazine Potatoes 0.05
Dimethyl didecyl ammonium chloride Avocadoes, Citrus 2.0
Fosetyl-Al (phosphorous acid) Citrus 15.0
Methomyl Hops 0.1
Novaluron Apples and pears 0.05
Citrus (orange) 0.50
Dry beans (seed), soya beans (seed) 0.10
Peaches, nectarines 0.05
Potatoes 0.01
Sorghum 0.02
Prometryn Peas 0.05
Pyraclostrobin Citrus 0.1
Pyrimethanil Apples 0.5
Spirodiclofen Citrus 0.01
Tebuconazole Onions 0.05

There are also many additional allowable pesticide residues and/or MRLs for a specific residue. Unfortunately, the allowable pesticide residues or MRLs vary from country to country, so one should consult with a pesticide residue expert prior to shipping products to another country. For more information in regard to the global pesticide residue situation please obtain and read the SGS Pesticide White Paper [2].

SGS is committed to keeping you informed of regulatory news and developments. Leveraging our global network of laboratories and food experts, SGS provides a comprehensive range of food safety and quality solutions, including analytical testing, audits, certifications, inspections and technical support. We continually invest in our world class testing capabilities and state-of-the-art technology to help you reduce risks, and improve food safety and quality. For further information please visit our website www.foodsafety.sgs.com.

For enquiries, please contact:

James CookFood Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Manager t: +01 973 461 1493

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SGS SA published this content on 23 June 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 26 June 2017 06:19:16 UTC.

Original documenthttp://www.sgs.com/en/news/2017/06/safeguards-09817-republic-of-south-africa-amends-pesticide-mrls-for-foodstuffs

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