Pesticides
Growing demand for food has forced producers to maintain the quality of their livestock and crops in the most efficient way. This can involve the use of pesticides. Using these products on crops risks exposing consumers to harmful chemical materials through residues that remain as the animal is reared or as the crop is processed. Setting limits on the maximum levels of these residues ensures that the food is safe to eat.
The role of Codex in Pesticides
To protect consumer health, most countries have maximum legal limits for pesticide residues in foods. Trade difficulties can arise when limits differ between countries.
The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) is responsible for establishing Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticide residues in specific food items or in groups of food or feed that move in international trade.
Before a Codex MRL can be established human health risk assessments must be conducted to ensure the food supply is safe. It is the responsibility of the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) to review the appropriate toxicology and data obtained mainly from supervised trials, that reflect approved pesticide use in accordance with "good agricultural practice." JMPR conducts dietary risk assessments and recommends specific MRLs to the Codex Committee.
For a chemical or commodity to be considered for review by the JMPR it must first be nominated by a Member Country to the CCPR Electronic Working Group on Priorities
Related Codex Texts
CXG 80-2013
Guidelines on the Application of Risk Assessment for Feed
TFAF
2013
CXG 81-2013
Guidance for Governments on Prioritizing Hazards in Feed
TFAF
2013
CXG 82-2013
Principles and Guidelines for National Food Control Systems
CCFICS
2013
CXG 83-2013
Principles for the Use of Sampling and Testing in International Food Trade
CCMAS
2013
CXG 84-2012
Principles and Guidance on the Selection of Representative Commodities for the Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides to Commodity Groups
CCPR
2012
CXG 85-2014
Guidelines for the Control of Taenia Saginata in Meat of Domestic Cattle
CCFH
2014