On March 27, 2025, the Food Sanitation Standards Review Division of Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency released a draft revision to the Specifications and Standards for Food and Food Additives, proposing adjustments to maximum residue limits (MRLs) for three pesticides, including fluazinam, and opened a public comment period until April 25, 2025.
Purpose of the Revision
Under Japan’s Food Sanitation Act, the Prime Minister may establish food safety standards, including pesticide residue limits, based on recommendations from the Food Safety Commission. Current regulations stipulate a default safety threshold of 0.01 ppm for pesticide residues unless specific MRLs are defined. This revision aligns with international standards, global pesticide usage trends, and health risk assessments by the Cabinet Office’s Food Safety Commission to ensure residue levels pose no harm to human health. The draft was reviewed by the Food Sanitation Standards Council on November 14, 2024.
Key Revisions
The draft proposes updated MRLs for the following pesticides:
- Fluazinam (fungicide/miticide)
- Flupyradifurone (insecticide)
- Mandestrobin (fungicide)
Implementation Timeline
Announcement Date: Expected in mid-June 2025
Effective Date:
Relaxed standards take effect immediately upon announcement.
Tightened standards will be enforced one year after announcement.
Public Comment Submission
The public may submit comments either online via the e-Government Portal (e-Gov) submission form (https://search.e-gov.go.jp/servlet/Public) or by mail to the Residue Pesticide Standards Review Office under the Food Sanitation Standards Review Division of the Consumer Affairs Agency.
Further Information
