Recently, the Department of Crop Production Management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs released the "Draft for Comment on Maximum Residue Limits for 97 Pesticides Including 2,4-D Dimethylamine Salt in Food," soliciting public opinions. This initiative marks a significant step forward in refining China's agricultural product quality and safety management system, particularly by addressing the long-standing gap in pesticide residue standards for minor crops. The proposed addition of 212 new MRLs covers 97 commonly used pesticides and encompasses all major food categories.

I. Saying Goodbye to Gaps: Minor Specialty Crops to Have Their Own "Safety Lines"

The introduction of the new standards will fundamentally transform the situation where characteristic economic crops such as goji berries, prickly ash, Sanqi (Panax notoginseng), Ophiopogon japonicus, honeysuckle, and Fritillaria have lacked clear or consistent pesticide residue regulations. These meticulous provisions lay a solid foundation for the safe production and market circulation of these crops.

Goji Berries: For various common pesticides (e.g., Cyflumetofen, Dinotefuran, Flonicamid, Spiromesifen, Thiamethoxam, Hexythiazox, Trifloxystrobin), specific maximum residue limits have been set for both fresh and dried goji berries.

Prickly Ash: MRLs for pesticides such as Pyrazole naphthalamine, Sodium Dichlorophenoxyacetate, Pyraclostrobin, and Buprofezin have been clearly defined for both fresh and dried prickly ash.

Sanqi (Panax Notoginseng): Residue limits have been established for Flumioxazin, Validamycin, Dazomet, Clothianidin, and Propamocarb in fresh Sanqi and its various dried parts (rhizomes, fibrous roots).

Other Important Medicinal and Economic Crops: Ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, honeysuckle, and Fritillaria will also have their first dedicated MRLs for specific pesticides, including Carbendazim, Flumioxazin (for ginseng); Paclobutrazol, Mepiquat Chloride (for Ophiopogon japonicus); Beta-cyfluthrin, Thiamethoxam (for honeysuckle); and Diazinon, Imazalil (for Fritillaria).

The establishment of these tailored standards will not only significantly enhance the quality and safety assurance capabilities of relevant agricultural products and substantially reduce testing costs in production and trade, but also strongly support the international market penetration of China's specialty agricultural products, boosting their competitiveness.

II. Aligning with International Practices, Introducing the New Concept of "Explanatory Maximum Residue Limits (EMRL)"

The standard-setting process strictly adheres to the risk assessment principles and methodologies of international authoritative bodies such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), ensuring its scientific rigor and alignment with international norms. Notably, the new standards creatively introduce the concept of "Explanatory Maximum Residue Limits (EMRL)." EMRLs are designed to manage pesticides that, despite being banned, may still form trace residues in food due to their persistence in the environment. For instance, an EMRL of 5 mg/kg has been set for Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate in bayberries.

III. Cutting-Edge Detection Technologies to Ensure "Detectability and Accuracy"

To ensure the effective implementation of the new standards, the draft for comment simultaneously updates and provides detailed methodologies for pesticide residue detection. The new standards widely adopt national general multi-residue detection methods from the GB 23200 series. These methods primarily rely on internationally leading analytical technology platforms such as Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The application of these advanced technologies will ensure that regulatory authorities can "detect and accurately quantify" various pesticide residues. For a small number of compounds, such as Fluthiacet-methyl and Flufenoxuron, although currently designated as "temporary MRLs," the corresponding detection methods are continuously being refined and validated.

The release of the "Draft for Comment on Maximum Residue Limits for 97 Pesticides Including 2,4-D Dimethylamine Salt in Food" is undoubtedly a crucial step in upgrading China's agricultural product quality and safety regulatory system. It not only strengthens the food safety defense network but also provides robust technological support for sustainable agricultural development and international trade in agricultural products.