Pesticide control in food 2027-2029: what producers and importers must do

Key data

Producers, importers and distributors of food in the EU have until 2027 to ensure their products comply with pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/748, in force since 31 March 2026, sets the coordinated multiannual control programme for the years 2027, 2028 and 2029 and replaces the previous Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/854.

This is not a theoretical regulation: controls are systematic, data is shared at European level and non-compliance has direct consequences for the marketing of products.

What does this regulation establish?

The Regulation sets a coordinated multiannual programme that requires all EU Member States to carry out systematic analyses of food samples — both of plant and animal origin — following common criteria. The objective is twofold:

• To verify that food reaching consumers complies with the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides established by EU legislation.
• To assess the actual exposure of consumers to these residues at European level, with comparable data across countries.

To ensure that results are comparable between Member States, the programme requires analyses to be carried out in accordance with common traceability and methodology criteria. The data collected makes it possible to detect non-compliance and, where appropriate, to activate market measures.

Economic and operational impact

The impact on businesses is not abstract. Official controls arising from this programme can have direct and costly consequences:

• Market withdrawal: If a control detects that a product exceeds the MRLs, it may be withdrawn from sale. This involves loss of the product, logistical withdrawal costs and reputational damage.
• Administrative penalties: Non-compliance with MRLs may result in penalties under the national legislation of each Member State.
• Adaptation costs: Companies that do not have internal residue control processes will need to implement them to reduce the risk of non-compliance before 2027.
• Impact on imports: Importers from third countries must verify that their suppliers comply with European MRLs, as controls also apply to imported products.

The European coordination of data means that non-compliance detected in one Member State can have repercussions throughout the entire distribution chain within the EU.

Who is affected?

• Agricultural producers who grow plant-based food intended for the European market.
• Livestock and aquaculture sector producers whose animal products may contain pesticide residues.
• Food importers from third countries who introduce plant or animal products into the EU market.
• Distributors and food chain operators who market fresh, processed or packaged food of plant or animal origin.
• Advisors and quality and compliance managers in agri-food companies who must ensure compliance with MRLs.

Practical example

A Spanish importing company that brings fresh fruit from a non-EU supplier and distributes it to supermarket chains in Spain and France falls directly within the scope of this regulation.

If the competent authorities in Spain or France take a sample of that fruit under the 2027-2029 control programme and detect that the levels of a pesticide exceed the MRL established by EU legislation, the importing company may face:

• The immediate withdrawal of the affected batch from the market in all Member States where it is distributed.
• The opening of penalty proceedings by the national competent authority.
• A review of its internal controls and possible additional certification requirements from its supplier.

To avoid this scenario, the company should require its supplier to provide residue analyses prior to shipment and verify that the results comply with the applicable European MRLs before placing the product on the market.

What should businesses do now?

1. Review the product catalogue against current MRLs: identify which products in your portfolio may carry a higher risk of non-compliance and prioritise internal controls accordingly.
2. Audit suppliers (especially non-EU ones): require pesticide residue analyses as a purchasing requirement and verify that results comply with European MRLs before importing.
3. Implement or strengthen the internal residue control system: if you do not have a systematic sample analysis process, establish one before controls begin in 2027.
4. Train the quality and compliance team on the MRLs applicable to each product category and on the procedure to follow in the event of an alert or withdrawal.
5. Document the traceability of all marketed batches: in the event of an official control, the ability to quickly identify and withdraw an affected batch reduces the economic and reputational impact.
6. Consult the updated EU MRL legislation through the European Commission pesticides portal to verify the limits applicable to each product-pesticide combination.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=CELEX:32026R0748