Okuzeka
Food Science & Technology vocabulary · Regulations and Standards

Maximum residue limit

Meaning in food science & technology, with examples

nounCommon term

In food science & technology, maximum residue limit means: The highest legally allowed level of a pesticide or veterinary drug residue in or on a food when the substance is used correctly.

In Turkish: maksimum kalıntı limiti, MKL, azami kalıntı limiti

How it is used

Shortened to MRL and given in mg/kg. Exporters of fruit, vegetables, spices and tea check MRLs carefully, because the limits differ between countries and a single exceedance can lead to rejection at the border. The EU officially says 'maximum residue level'; Codex uses 'maximum residue limit'.

Example sentences

  1. The lemons were rejected at the border because one pesticide exceeded the maximum residue limit.

  2. Check the maximum residue limit in the destination country before the grower sprays the crop.

Common collocations

  • exceed the MRL
  • MRL exceedance
  • pesticide residues
  • maximum residue level
  • residue analysis
  • Codex AlimentariusThe collection of international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice created by the FAO and the WHO to protect consumers' health and support fair food trade.
  • specificationA document that sets out the agreed requirements for a raw material, packaging or product, such as composition, chemical and microbiological limits, appearance and packing.
  • certificate of analysisA document from a supplier or laboratory that shows the test results for a specific batch and confirms that it meets the agreed specification.
  • raw materialA basic material, such as milk, flour, fruit or meat, that a factory receives and processes to make its products.

More terms: Regulations and Standards

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: