During the 2024 Symposium on Navigating Lack of Global Harmonization for Pesticide MRLs on Spices held in conjunction with the 2024 ASTA Annual Meeting, a panel discussion led by Lois Rossi, Formerly EPA on U.S. Laws, EPA Regulations, and Codex Standards, provided an overview of current US regulations and enforcement of pesticides on spices. Mendy Flamer, NFC Certification presented on Organic Pesticide Regulations; Karen Everstine, FoodChain ID, presented on Global Enforcement Trends; Maile Gradison, Hogan Lovells on FDA Pesticide Policies and Shannen Kelly, ASTA presented on Import Rejections. These are the slide presentations that supported this session.

The presence of pesticide chemical residues in foods, such as spices, is regulated under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended (FFDCA). The permissible level of pesticide chemical residue allowed in or on foods or feed is governed by either a pesticide tolerance or an exemption from tolerance. If a food contains a pesticide residue for which no tolerance or exemption from tolerance has been established, it is adulterated within the meaning of section 402 of the FFDCA and is subject to enforcement action. ASTA has published a list of U.S. pesticide tolerances that are established for spices and herbs by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under 40CFR180. This list is intended to facilitate compliance with U.S. tolerances.