Time is running out for setting effective MRLs

21-Jan-2015 - Last updated on 19-Aug-2020 at 08:32 GMT

Related tags Hygiene

MRLs must be set at appropriate levels, says Goodburn

If the food industry does not act on the EU’s potential imposition of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for disinfectants soon, it will be too late, Chilled Food Association (CFA) director Kaarin Goodburn has warned.

There is only one or two years left before final decisions are made on MRLs for active substances in biocidal products and the industry is yet to recognise the issue, she said in this exclusive podcast.

Impractical levels

The CFA is concerned the EU will set MRLs at impractical levels, which will render many disinfectant cleaning products useless and potentially cause health and safety issues, she said.

“The consequences are foodborne diseases,” Goodburn warned. “As for where the hospitals and the rest would sit, if you can’t clean and disinfect, it’s going to be problematic.

“We won’t be able to clean and disinfect effectively [if the MRLs are dramatically reduced] and neither will anyone else and the disinfectants that are available commercially and in the home will have to be withdrawn [from sale].”

Listen to this podcast to hear Goodburn talk more about the potential impact setting the wrong MRLs could have on the sector.