Hexythiazox is an approved active substance in GB.
HSE identified a chronic intake concern for the current MRLs for hexythiazox, with citrus fruits, apples and pears being the main contributors to chronic exposures.
As notified in our previous ebulletin issued on 21 April 2026, harmful effects for human health cannot be excluded for the following commodities: citrus fruits, apples and pears.
It was therefore proposed to lower the MRLs for:
- hexythiazox/citrus fruit from 1 mg/kg to the Codex MRL (CXL) of 0.5 mg/kg
- hexythiazox/apples and pears from 1 mg/kg to the CXL of 0.4 mg/kg
In addition, HSE proposed to adopt CXLs for:
- strawberries (6 mg/kg)
- cane fruits (4 mg/kg)
- teas (15 mg/kg)
- bird’s eggs (0.05 mg/kg)
Following completion of the notification process to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the new MRLs were adopted on 25 July 2026.
To allow trading partners and food business operators time to adjust to the new lower MRLs, the new MRLs will enter into force and appear in the GB MRL Statutory Register on 25 January 2027.
Indoxacarb is no longer an approved active substance in GB and there are no PPP authorisations.
As notified in our previous ebulletin issued on 15 May 2026, it was proposed to retain some MRLs for indoxacarb. The full range of commodities for which this applies is detailed in the decision document. The remaining MRLs will be lowered to the limit of quantification (LOQ).
For some of the retained MRLs, HSE has identified that there is missing data. Supplementary information to support the continued validity of the affected MRLs should be provided within 5 years of the date of enforcement of the new MRLs.
If no data is provided to support the MRL or an alternative MRL, the MRL will be lowered to the commodity specific LOQ.
Following completion of the notification process to the WTO, the new MRLs detailed above have now been adopted. The new MRLs were adopted on 25 July 2026.
To allow trading partners and food business operators time to adjust to the new lower MRLs, the new MRLs will enter into force and appear in the GB MRL Statutory Register on 25 January 2027. The current MRLs in the GB MRL Statutory Register have an expiry date of 24 January 2027.
Further information
Review the future MRLs for the outlined substances in the decision documents.
Visit HSE’s website for more information and guidance on the MRL processes for GB.
Stakeholders should note that pesticides are in scope of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement currently being negotiated between the UK and the EU. Once negotiations on the SPS Agreement have concluded, HSE will communicate further on any implications the agreement has for the sector
|
