News & Insights

Recently, Japan's National Tax Agency published an amendment (in Japanese) to the list of substances that can be used for preservation of alcoholic beverages.

The BCGlobal Food Additive Database, which includes Japan's food additive regulations, has been updated to reflect all relevant changes. If you are interested in subscribing, please contact BCI for more information.

On January 18, Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) published amendments to the monographs for acetamiprid, cyprodinil, tebuthiuron, chlorpyrifos, metalaxyl-m, dinotefuran, cyazofamid, difenoconazole, chlorantraniliprole, and 2,4-D (links in Portuguese).

Relevant MRLs from these amendments will be added to the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database by January 20, 2021.

On January 18, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a reasoned opinion on the toxicological properties and MRLs for propoxur.

Proposed MRLs from this reasoned opinion will display in the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database on January 20, 2021.

Recently, the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service published Food and Agricultural Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) reports for the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Israel, Kazakhstan, and Taiwan.

The BCGlobal Food Additive Database includes maximum use level regulations for over 850 additives in more than 70 countries worldwide, including the EU, Taiwan, and Great Britain. Please contact BCI for more information on subscribing.

The BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database currently displays relevant established and proposed MRLs for the Czech Republic, Israel, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, and Great Britain. The BCGlobal Vet Drug MRL Database currently displays relevant established and proposed MRLs for the Czech Republic, Israel, Taiwan, Kazakhstan, and Great Britain.

On January 7, China's National Health Commission published new food additive use levels. The announcement notifying the changes is available in Chinese.

The BCGlobal Food Additive Database, which includes China's food additive regulations in English, has already been updated to reflect these changes. If you are interested in subscribing, please contact BCI.

On January 11, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a reasoned opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for bentazone in beans and peas with and without pods.

Proposed MRLs from this reasoned opinion will display in the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database on January 12, 2021.

The United Kingdom’s (UK) 11-month transition period from the European Union (EU) ended on December 31, 2020. As of January 1, 2021, a new independent food additive regulatory regime operates in Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and has taken responsibility for its own decisions using its own rules. Any new decisions taken under the EU regime after January 1, 2021, will not apply in Great Britain. Food exports destined for England, Scotland, or Wales must comply with Great Britain’s food additive regulations.    

However, Northern Ireland’s status will remain the same. Under the terms of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Protocol, the EU regulatory regime continues to apply in Northern Ireland after the end of the transition period. Food exports destined to Northern Ireland must comply with EU food additive regulations.

To accommodate these changes, the following adjustments have been made in the Food Additive Database:

• Great Britain: Market added to the Food Additive Database.
  Displays current EU maximum use levels as they existed on December 31, 2020, but moving forward, will be updated as amended by Great Britain.
• European Union: Should be consulted for Northern Ireland
  The European Union market will continue to display relevant EU food additive levels and should be consulted for requirements for Northern Ireland. 

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) recently announced proposed MRL changes for several active ingredients. These changes were reported via the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.

Relevant Proposed MRLs will be available in the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database and BCGlobal Vet Drug Database by January 8, 2021.

On January 6, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) notified the WTO of adopted MRLs for trinexapac-ethyl.

Relevant amended MRLs will be available in the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database on January 7, 2021.

On December 23, Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published Advance Notice 2020-577 and Advance Notice 2020-578 (in Korean) proposing revisions to their food regulations, including numerous MRL changes.

Relevant proposed MRLs will be added to the BCGlobal Pesticide MRL Database by January 8, 2021.