Pesticide Maximum Residue Limits

A maximum residue level or MRL is the maximum amount of residue legally permitted on food. Once residues are demonstrated to be safe for consumers, MRLs are set by independent scientists, based on rigorous evaluation of each pesticide legally authorized. As Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services we do offer MRL Tests for various pesticides residues and for specialized samples where the client needs specific special tests to be undertaken we are in partnership with a contracted lab in Europe. MRLs acts as an indicator of the correct use of pesticides, and ensure compliance with legal requirements for low residues on unprocessed food. MRLs are trading standards used to ensure that imported and exported food is safe to eat. In practice, they allow the free movement of goods within the EU and from the rest of the world. .A maximum residue level (MRL) for pesticide residues is the maximum concentration of a pesticide residue expressed in mg/Kg legally permitted in or on food commodities and animal feed. MRLs are based on good agricultural practices (G.A.P) data. Foods derived from the commodities that comply with the respective MRLs are intended to be toxicologically acceptable. If MRLs are exceeded, comparison of the exposure with Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and /or Acute Reference Dose (ARfD) will then indicate whether or not there are possible chronic or acute health risks respectively. The ADI is the estimate of the amount of a substance in food expressed on a body-weight basis that can be ingested daily over a life time without appreciable health risk to the consumer. The ARfD is the estimate of the amount of a substance in food, expressed on a body-weight basis that can be ingested over a short period of time, usually during one meal or one day without appreciable health risk to the consumer. 

Reasons for pesticides residue level regulation; 

 Minimize the exposure of consumers or movement to the harmful intake of pesticides. 

Allow free circulation or movement of products treated as long as they meet the set standards for harmonized MRLs.

 Control the correct use of pesticides in terms of application rates and pre harvest intervals.