EU modifies MRL for spinosad in raspberries

The European Commission has modifies maximum residue level (MRL) for insecticide spinosad in raspberries after the European Food Safety Authority’s evaluation.

In May 2012, France has granted a temporary approval for products containing spinosad on raspberries for the period from 4 May 2012 to 4 September 2012 to control a pest that has been recently introduced in France, Drosophila suzuki. In order to accommodate for the emergency use of spinosad, France proposed to raise the existing MRL for raspberries from 0.3 mg/kg to 1.5 mg/kg. France submitted to the European Commission an evaluation report summarising the background information. France also performed a consumer risk assessment demonstrating that the proposed temporary MRL is safe.

On 25 May 2012, the evaluation report was forwarded to EFSA. Based on the available information and the use pattern, EFSA derives the MRL value of 0.9 mg/kg and concludes that the emergency indoor use of spinosad on raspberries granted in France is not likely to result in a consumer exposure exceeding the toxicological reference value and therefore is not expected to pose a public health concern.

The modification enters into force on 28 June 2012.