Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides

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As part of the assessment process prior to the registration of a pesticide, Health Canada must determine whether the consumption of the maximum amount of residues, that are expected to remain on food products when a pesticide is used according to label directions, will not be a concern to human health. This maximum amount of residues expected is then legally established as a maximum residue limit (MRL). Health Canada sets science-based MRLs to ensure the food Canadians eat is safe. The MRLs set for each pesticide-crop combination are set at levels well below the amount that could pose a health concern. Typically, an MRL applies to the identified raw agricultural food commodity as well as to any processed food product that contains it. However, where a processed product may require a higher MRL than that specified for its raw agricultural commodity, separate MRLs are specified. If it is determined that an unacceptable risk exists, the product will not be permitted for sale or use in Canada.

As Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide encourages Canadians to include a large amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets, MRLs are important to ensure that pesticides are being used properly so that Canadians have access to a safe food supply.

Modernization and Bill C-28

Health Canada's priorities are the health and safety of Canadians and their food supply, and this is the guiding principle when regulating pesticide use in Canada.

Previously, MRLs that were determined by Health Canada to be acceptable, were established by regulation under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) via publication in Canada Gazette, Part II, following consultation in Canada Gazette, Part I. Those MRLs appeared in Table II, Part B, Division 15 of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR).

On June 16, 2008, the FDA was amended via Bill C-28 to allow pesticide MRLs to be legally established by being specified under the PCPA, without having to be adopted by regulation under the authority of the FDA, and to deem all pesticide MRLs in Table II to have been specified under the PCPA. This change has resulted in a more efficient means of establishing, revising and revoking pesticide MRLs without adversely impacting food safety.

All proposed MRLs (PMRL Series) are legally in effect as of the publication date of their corresponding Established MRLs (EMRL Series) and are added to the Health Canada's List of MRLs Regulated under the PCPA.

Health Canada's List of MRLs Regulated under the PCPA

Please note that a complete listing of the residue definitions upon which all chemical MRLs are based is now found in Residue Definitions for Chemicals with MRLs Regulated Under the PCPA.

Residue Definitions for Chemicals with MRLs Regulated Under the PCPA

Notification of corrective amendments to the List of MRLs Regulated under the PCPA which do not add, revise or revoke MRL values will be posted on this webpage as required.

Additional Information

• Questions and Answers on Maximum Residue Limits
• Residue Chemistry Crop Groups