Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released its annual call for comment on proposed changes to Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for some agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food.
FSANZ CEO Mark Booth said requests to align around 130 chemicals with international limits set by the codex Alimentarius Commission and other international food standards agencies are being considered.
'This includes changes requested by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to align with revised chemical uses in Australia.
'For the first time we implemented a new process to routinely consider MRLs adopted by codex in 2019 without the need for separate requests from stakeholders.
'Aligning MRLs with international limits supports Australian food imports.
'MRLs can only be changed if there is no concern to public health and safety. Our dietary assessment of the requested changes found no health and safety concerns for Australian consumers,' Mr Booth said.
The public call for comment closes 6pm (Canberra time) 16 March 2021.
For more information on the proposal and how you can have your say see our call for comment page.
What are MRLs?
MRLs are the highest amount of an agricultural or veterinary chemical residue that is allowed to remain in or on a food sold in Australia.
These limits are set well below the acceptable levels to protect the health and safety of people in Australia.
More information
M1018 - Maximum Residue Limits 2020
Chemicals in food - maximum residue limits
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