EU EFSA Updates Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Plant-Based Foods

Introduction

On March 25, 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued its second MRL revision notice for the year, introducing new pesticide residue limits for imidacloprid in dried goji berries and reducing the MRL for acetamiprid in green tea by 30%. The same day, China's General Administration of Customs warned exporters that shipments failing to comply with the updated testing and labeling requirements would face rejection at EU ports starting May 1. This development is particularly relevant for agricultural producers, food exporters, and supply chain stakeholders involved in the EU-China trade of these commodities.

Event Overview

The EFSA's 2026-02 MRL revision establishes two key changes: 1) A new maximum residue limit for imidacloprid in dried goji berries (Lycium spp.), filling a previous regulatory gap; 2) A 30% reduction in the acceptable acetamiprid residue level for green tea (Camellia sinensis). The Chinese customs authority's parallel announcement emphasizes enforcement will begin May 1, 2026, with non-compliant shipments subject to full batch rejection at EU borders. No transitional period was specified for the changes.

Impact on Specific Industries

1. Direct Exporters to EU Markets

Chinese goji berry and tea exporters face immediate compliance pressure. The new imidacloprid standard requires testing protocol updates for goji shipments, while tea exporters must verify their products meet the stricter acetamiprid threshold. Analysis shows about 18% of China's 2025 green tea exports to the EU contained detectable acetamiprid residues near the previous limit.

2. Agricultural Producers & Cooperatives

Growers supplying export-oriented processing facilities will need to review pesticide application practices. The 30% MRL reduction for acetamiprid in tea suggests EU regulators are tightening controls on neonicotinoid pesticides, potentially signaling future restrictions on other crops.

3. Testing & Certification Services

Laboratories accredited for EU export certification should prepare for increased demand for updated testing services. The goji berry industry previously lacked standardized imidacloprid testing requirements for EU-bound products.

Key Action Points for Businesses

1. Immediate Compliance Verification

Exporters should conduct urgent residue testing on current inventory, especially for green tea batches processed during high-pest seasons when acetamiprid use peaks. Testing should use the updated EU reference methods.

2. Supply Chain Communication

Upstream coordination with growers is critical. Tea producers may need to: 1) Adjust pre-harvest intervals for acetamiprid applications; 2) Consider alternative pest control methods for EU-destined production lines.

3. Documentation Updates

All export documentation, including certificates of analysis and product specifications, must reflect the new MRLs. Packaging labels should be reviewed for any pesticide-related claims that might conflict with the updated standards.

Industry Perspective

From an industry standpoint, this update continues the EU's trend of progressively lowering pesticide MRLs for imported agricultural products. The inclusion of goji berries suggests EFSA is expanding scrutiny to niche botanical products. More significantly, the synchronized enforcement notice from Chinese customs indicates bilateral recognition of these standards, reducing the likelihood of transitional leniency. Businesses should view this as part of a broader regulatory shift rather than an isolated change.

Conclusion

This MRL revision represents a targeted adjustment with disproportionate impact on specific agricultural exports. While the immediate compliance window is narrow (March 25 to May 1), the changes align with predictable EU regulatory trends. Export-oriented operations should treat this as a case study for building more agile compliance systems, particularly for pesticide management in high-value botanical products. The lack of transitional measures underscores the importance of proactive regulatory monitoring in EU-China agri-food trade.

Sources

1. EFSA MRL Revision Notice 2026-02 (Published March 25, 2026)
2. China Customs Trade Alert (Issued March 25, 2026)
*Note: Subsequent national-level implementation guidelines from EU member states may introduce additional requirements.