Maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides registered for use on Australian onions

Information bulletin

This information bulletin provides a list of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides registered¹ for use in Australian onions. Listed in the table are MRLs for Australia as established in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) Standards 1.4.1 & 1.4.2 (Australia Only) and a number of countries to which Australian onions are exported. The main purpose of this bulletin is to inform growers, packers and marketers of the export requirements in regards to pesticide residues. The critical element of this information is that Australian MRLs do not apply to other countries and even though a pesticide may be registered in Australia, it may not be the case in that overseas country. For Australia if an MRL is ‘not set’, generally a zero tolerance applies (refer to end of table for full details including other countries).

Organisations marketing to overseas countries should be aware that the information provided below represents the official standards, but not necessarily the marketing requirements. Marketers should refer to the contractual arrangements concerning agreed residue limits.

Disclaimer: Although the Australian Government has exercised due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of this publication, it does not warrant its accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any purpose. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Australian Government disclaims all liability including liability in negligence for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by persons as a result of accessing, using or relying upon any of the information or data set out in this publication. Before relying on the material in any matters, users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for the purposes intended, and should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

Table notes:

1. The registration status of the chemicals listed may vary for each commodity and in each State. This list includes registered chemicals where an off–label use has been permitted by APVMA and chemicals registered only for use on seed onions. Prior to using any chemical, consult the label and/or regulatory authority in your State. The persistent organochlorines (DDT, dieldrin, endrin, HCH and heptachlor and lindane) are not registered for use.
2. Australia in the absence of a set MRL, a zero tolerance applies.
3. Many countries default to maximum residue limits established by CODEX including Algiers, Angola, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Honduras, Hong Kong, Jordan, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia and Venezuela.
4. Countries included in the GCC are: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. If an MRL is ‘not set’, generally, the GCC will use the Codex MRL.
5. EU: The maximum pesticide residue level in foodstuffs is 0.01 mg/kg. This general level is applicable ‘by default’, i.e. in all cases where an MRL has not been specifically set for a product or product type. Many countries use maximum residue limits established by the EU for some or all of their standards, including EU Member States.
6. Indonesia may defer to Codex if there is no national MRL.
7. Japan — has set a general limit if there is no MRL set indicating the amount unlikely to cause damage to human health that the provision of Paragraph 3, Article 11 of the Food Sanitation Law requires the Minister to set is 0.01 ppm.
8. Malaysia: In the absence of a set MRL, refer to Codex where the pesticide is not specified; or a maximum residue limit of 0.01 mg/kg if the pesticide is not specified in either Schedule 16 or Codex.
9. Singapore: In the absence of a set MRL, defaults to the Codex level.
10. Taiwan: Pesticides not listed in the MRL table, except for those import tolerances developed, shall not be detected.

‘not set’ denotes that no MRL has been established, refer to details above for each countries default value.

‘not required’ denotes that no MRL has been established, and any detection is permissible.

‘T’ denotes that the MRL residue definition or use is temporary to enable further experimental work to be carried out in Australia or overseas, and will be reconsidered at some further date. This symbol is also used in cases where the MRL is being phased out.

‘E’ denotes an extraneous residue limit (ERL) and refers to a pesticide residue arising from environmental sources (including former agricultural use) other than directly or indirectly on the commodity.

‘P’ = provisional.

ma = maneb; mz = mancozeb.

Sources of Information

Australia — Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) ‘Standard 1.4.2’ (Australia only) Amendment 126, dated 13 October 2011.

The MRLs set in the Food Standards Code are based on those established by Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority in the MRL Standard, and may vary slightly due to delays in the legislative process.

Codex — Codex Alimentarius Commission. Pesticide Residues in Foods — last update 30 March 2009.

GCC — Maximum Limits of Pesticide Residue in Agricultural and Food Products Part 1 — UAEs GSO 382/1994 and Maximum Limits of Pesticide Residue in Agricultural and Food Products Part 2 — UAEs GSO 383/1994. Countries included in the GCC are: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. If an MRL is ‘not set’, generally, the GCC will use the Codex MRL.

European Union — The EU pesticide residues database provides for a search tool for all the EU—MRLs set in Reg. (EC) No 396/2005. It reflects the most up–dated published legislation under Reg. (EC) No 396/2005. MRLs updated 10/9/09.

Indonesia — Joint Decision by the Ministers for Health and Agriculture No.881/Menkes/SKB/VIII/1996, No. 771 /Kpts/TP.270/8/1996 concerning Maximum Limits of Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Products available on the Ministry of Agriculture website.

Japan — Positive List System for Agricultural Chemical Residues in Foods updated 5 February 2007. Positive List System for Agricultural Chemical Residues in Foods search.

Malaysia — Latest amendments to the Food Regulations 1985 [P.U.(A) 437/1985] —160 dated 20 May 2004 — Food Act 1983. (Sixteenth Schedule —Reg 41) available on the Ministry of Health Food Quality Control Division website containing pesticide residue in a proportion greater than the proportion specified for that food in relation to that pesticide residue as recommended in the Codex Alimentarius, where the pesticide is not specified in the Sixteenth Schedule; or containing more than 0.01 milligram per kilogram of any pesticide residue, where the pesticide is not specified for that food in the Sixteenth Schedule or Codex Alimentarius. 

Singapore —Revised Edition of Subsidiary Legislation — The Sale of Food Act (Chapter 283), 1990 edition and all amendments up to July 2005. Ninth schedule — Food with Maximum Amounts of Pesticides. Ninth Schedule of Chapter 283, Food Regulations: page 93.

Taiwan — Department of Health, Taiwan, ROC — Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods — Food No. 1001302285 last amended August 2011.