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 27-1997

Guidelines for the Assessment of the Competence of Testing Laboratories Involved in the Import and Export Control of Food

CCMAS

1997

CXG 27-1997

Guidelines for the Assessment of the Competence of Testing Laboratories Involved in the Import and Export Control of Food

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 28-1995

Food Control Laboratory Management: Recommendations

CCMAS

1995

CXG 28-1995

Food Control Laboratory Management: Recommendations

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 30-1999

Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Assessment

CCFH

1999

CXG 30-1999

Principles and Guidelines for the Conduct of Microbiological Risk Assessment

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 31-1999

Guidelines for the Sensory Evaluation of Fish and Shellfish in Laboratories

CCFFP

1999

CXG 31-1999

Guidelines for the Sensory Evaluation of Fish and Shellfish in Laboratories

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 32-1999

Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods

CCFL

1999

CXG 32-1999

Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 33-1999

Recommended Methods of Sampling for the Determination of Pesticide Residues for Compliance with MRLs

CCPR

1999

CXG 33-1999

Recommended Methods of Sampling for the Determination of Pesticide Residues for Compliance with MRLs

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

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