Maximum residue limits, human health, and food safety: MRLs outside of Canada
On this page
- Differences between countries
- Similarities between countries
- International science cooperation
- International trade and imports
- MRLs for both domestic and imported foods
Differences between countries
In some countries, maximum residue limits (MRLs) are called maximum residue levels or tolerances. MRLs may also vary from one country to another for several reasons, including:
- different legislation and policies
- differences in the way countries use pesticides
- differences in environmental conditions and pests
Each country's regulatory authority considers the available scientific information, but they each do their own risk assessments. This is because each authority considers their country-specific legislation, policies and conditions of use. Regulatory decisions on pesticide registrations and MRLs may differ from country to country for these reasons.
Similarities between countries
There are also similarities in how Canada and other countries make regulatory decisions on pesticide registrations and MRLs. For example, Health Canada works with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, who has similar responsibilities for:
- regulating pesticides to protect crops grown for people and animals to eat
- setting limits (tolerances) on the amount of pesticides that may remain in or on food
The US sets tolerances after reviewing similar residue chemistry data as Canada. Furthermore, Canada and the US follow an internationally standardized approach to set limits or tolerances.
Learn more about:
- US Environmental Protection Agency tolerances
- Maximum residue limits, human health and food safety: How they are set
International science cooperation
One of Health Canada's key global scientific collaborations is with members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Jointly, Health Canada participates in and contributes to:
- creation and adoption of the OECD MRL Calculator
- development of OECD Test Guidelines for Chemicals
- OECD Pesticide Programme's Working Group on Pesticides
Health Canada also works with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). These international organizations created the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1963 to develop food standards, guidelines and related materials. These include codes of practice under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. The programme seeks to:
- protect the health of consumers
- ensure fair trade practices in the food trade
- promote coordination of all food standards work undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental organizations
The Codex Alimentarius Commission develops international food safety standards based on risk analysis principles.
Before setting a Codex MRL the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues must:
- conduct dietary risk assessments
- review the appropriate toxicology and residue data
- recommend specific MRLs to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues
Learn more about:
- Codex Alimentarius pesticide Index
- Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Note: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is migrating to a new website, which means that the MRL pages are currently unavailable. We will add links to this page as they become available.
International trade and imports
To facilitate trade, Canadian MRLs are aligned as much as possible with the Codex Alimentarius and US tolerances. This helps Canada to import and export food products.
Canada cannot grow food all year round in all parts of the country. This means Canada must import some foods to maintain reliable access to a variety of nutritious and affordable food.
The food we import can come from countries that have different:
- pest situations
- regulatory authorities
- climates where the food is grown
For example, pests can multiply faster and cause more damage to food or crops when they live in warmer climates compared to Canada. As a result, pest management strategies may be different in these countries.
However, before food is imported, it must comply with the same Health Canada requirements for protection of human health as the food grown in Canada.
Importing food to Canada allows for:
- year-round food security
- more affordable and accessible food
- year-round access to a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and grains
To comply with Canada's international trade obligations, Canada's Notification Authority and Enquiry Point coordinates international consultation on the proposed MRL by notifying the World Trade Organization. This consultation isn't required under the Pest Control Products Act, but Canada does it for transparency and to maintain relations with its international trade partners.
Canada's Notification Authority and Enquiry Point
MRLs for both domestic and imported foods
Canada is aligned with the internationally accepted best practice to set one MRL for each combination of pesticide and food. The United States, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many other countries also use this approach.
In 2022, Health Canada discussed with key stakeholders on the benefits and practicality of setting a separate MRL for imported foods. The discussions considered:
- feasibility of implementation
- Health Canada and international best practices
What we heard is that Health Canada's regulatory partners (federal, provincial and international) and many stakeholders support setting one MRL for both domestic and imported foods since this is aligned with international trade partners.
Furthermore, having one MRL for both imported and domestic ingredients also allows the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to effectively monitor and enforce the MRL for foods made with a mix of imported and domestic ingredients. Examples of these foods include multi-grain foods or juices.
Health Canada only sets MRLs after:
- conducting a thorough dietary risk assessment for the pesticide
- confirming that it meets Health Canada's human health protection requirements
In addition, pesticides registered for use in Canada must also meet environmental protection requirements.
Health Canada will continue to follow the best practice of setting a single MRL for each combination of pesticide and food. This is done whether the food is grown in Canada or another country.
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