Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has called for submissions on an Application to include new maximum residue limits (MRLs) in the Food Standards Code for blueberries and raspberries.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer, Steve McCutcheon, said the Application was seeking to include MRLs for Azoxystrobin, Fenhexamid and Fludioxonil in frozen blueberries and Bifenthrin in raspberries.

“FSANZ has looked at the dietary exposure of the Australian population to these chemicals and the proposed MRLs don’t present any public health and safety concerns,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“It’s not unusual for there to be differences in the agricultural chemicals used around the world because pests, climate and diseases differ from country to country,” Mr McCutcheon said. “These MRL variations will harmonise the Code with international MRL standards and will allow continued year-round availability of imported blueberries and raspberries. These chemicals are already permitted for use in Australia for other commodities,” he said.

FSANZ is inviting comments from government agencies, public health officials, industry and the community. The closing date for submissions is 20 June 2013.

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