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 34-1999

Guidelines for the Development of Equivalence Agreements Regarding Food Imports and Export Inspection and Certification Systems

CCFICS

1999

CXG 34-1999

Guidelines for the Development of Equivalence Agreements Regarding Food Imports and Export Inspection and Certification Systems

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 36-1989

Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives

CCFA

1989

CXG 36-1989

Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 37-2001

Harmonized IUPAC Guidelines for the Use of Recovery Information in Analytical Measurement

CCMAS

2001

CXG 37-2001

Harmonized IUPAC Guidelines for the Use of Recovery Information in Analytical Measurement

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 40-1993

Guidelines on Good Laboratory Practice in Pesticide Residue Analysis

CCPR

1993

CXG 40-1993

Guidelines on Good Laboratory Practice in Pesticide Residue Analysis

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

CXG 41-1993

Portion of Commodities to which Maximum Residues Limits Apply and which is Analyzed

CCPR

1993

CXG 41-1993

Portion of Commodities to which Maximum Residues Limits Apply and which is Analyzed

EN

FR

ES

AR

ZH

RU

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