Codex MRLs notifications
Codex maximum residue levels (CXLs) are internationally agreed food standards covering pesticide residues in or on food and feed.
The JMPR (Joint Meeting of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) on Pesticide Residues) evaluates pesticide residues in food/feed. The JMPR recommends MRLs to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) for consideration to be adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) as CXLs. Find further background information from the FAO.
Risk assessment
HSE is responsible for assessing and recommending the CXLs that can be implemented in Great Britain. HSE performs risk assessments for the CXLs that are recommended for adoption as Codex food standards.
The following conditions must be met for the CXL to be recommended for adoption as a GB MRL:
- Great Britain sets MRLs for the commodity in question
- the GB MRL is lower than the CXL
- no public health concerns are identified for UK consumers
Updates on CXLs
Following the CCPR and CAC meetings, HSE will:
- publish an evaluation report outlining HSE’s recommendations
- publish a decision document outlining the CXLs that will be adopted as GB MRLs – including any independent scientific advice sought during the assessment and/or the opinion of other government departments
- update the GB statutory MRL register
- send an eBulletin to stakeholders