Sanitary Standard Establishing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for Agricultural Pesticides in Food for Human Consumption (Ministerial Resolution No. 1006-2016/MINSA)

Ministerial Resolution No. 1006-2016/MINSA, published on December 30, 2016, approves Health Technical Standard No. 128-MINSA/2016/DIGESA, establishing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for agricultural pesticides in food intended for human consumption. The standard specifies maximum permitted concentrations of agricultural pesticide residues in different foods and plant-based commodities, expressed in milligrams per kilogram or parts per million. Its purpose is to protect public health by preventing and controlling chemical hazards associated with pesticide residues in food. It establishes reference values for sanitary surveillance and control, provides that food exceeding the applicable MRLs must be considered unsafe for human consumption, and requires the corresponding sanitary protection measures. It assigns surveillance responsibilities to national, regional and local health authorities and requires food suppliers to incorporate MRL compliance into their hazard prevention and control systems while maintaining the relevant records. The standard includes provisions for food supplied through social programs and establishes supplementary references based on the Codex Alimentarius and, where applicable, regulations from the United States and the European Union. It implements provisions of the Food Safety Law enacted through Legislative Decree No. 1062. It does not establish a pesticide-use reduction program, agricultural financing scheme, producer certification program or export promotion policy.