On January 11, 2021, the European Food Safety Authority published regulation in accordance with EC 396/2005 as per data received from the National authority in Netherlands to “Modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for Bentazone in Beans and Peas with and without Pods.”
The scientific panel highlights the following technical points based on the evaluation:
- Residue limits indicates no requirement for modification of the existing MRLs for beans with pods, beans without pods and peas without pods.
- Maximum Residue Limits for Peas with pods was proposed at limit of quantification 0.8mg/kg following requirement of further risk management consideration.
- Various Analytical methods are enforced to control the residues of bentazone and its metabolites in the commodity with limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg.
- The risk assessment however is indicative and affected by insufficient information related to the toxicological properties for 6-hydroxy-bentazone in the wheat metabolism study.
- EFSA concluded that the proposed use of bentazone on peas with pods will not result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference values and therefore is unlikely to pose a risk to consumers’ health for parent bentazone.
The regulation is effective from December 09, 2020.
Check out the complete assessment report on our Food News Monitoring System.