Setting of an import tolerance for lambda-cyhalothrin in avocados.

Area of Science:

• Food Safety
• Agricultural Chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 governs pesticide residue limits.
• Syngenta Crop Protection AG requested an import tolerance for lambda-cyhalothrin in avocados.
• Greece's national authority reviewed the submitted data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety of lambda-cyhalothrin residues in avocados for import.
• To propose Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for lambda-cyhalothrin in avocados.
• To assess consumer health risks associated with proposed MRLs.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data submitted for lambda-cyhalothrin import tolerance.
• Derivation of MRL proposals for avocados.
• Risk assessment of consumer exposure to lambda-cyhalothrin residues.
• Evaluation of analytical methods for residue enforcement.

Main Results:

• Sufficient data were provided to propose MRLs for lambda-cyhalothrin in avocados.
• Analytical methods are available for enforcement at 0.01 mg/kg.
• Short-term and long-term consumer intake is unlikely to pose a health risk based on current data.
• A data gap exists regarding the toxicity of degradation products under sterilization conditions.

Conclusions:

• The proposed MRLs for lambda-cyhalothrin in avocados are provisionally deemed safe for consumers.
• A risk management decision is required regarding the MRLs pending further toxicological assessment.
• Consumer exposure calculations are provisional until sterilization byproduct toxicity is evaluated.