MRL (Maximum Residue Limit)
Maximum legal level of pesticide or veterinary drug residue in food
MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) is the highest legal level of a pesticide or veterinary drug residue that is allowed in or on a food product. MRLs are set by regulatory authorities to protect consumer health and to facilitate international trade.
Key MRL frameworks: - **EU MRLs**: set by Regulation (EC) 396/2005 and amendments, enforced by member states. Often the strictest globally. - **Codex MRLs**: international standards by FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius. - **US MRLs (Tolerances)**: set by the EPA, enforced by FDA. - **UK MRLs**: post-Brexit, currently aligned with EU but diverging gradually.
For Egyptian fresh produce exports to the EU, MRL compliance is a top rejection cause. EU border control samples and tests imported produce. A single non-compliant lot can result in: - Rejection at EU port (entire shipment lost). - RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) notification. - Increased control rate on subsequent Egyptian shipments. - Loss of buyer trust and contracts.
FoodGate Audit conducts pesticide residue testing (via accredited laboratories) at the request of importers. We sample at the packhouse, ship to laboratories in Egypt or Europe, and provide certified residue reports compliant with EU MRL framework.