Comparative Study on the Current Maximum Residue Limits for Edible Fungi between China and Other Countries

Purpose Edible fungi have been closely watched in recent years due to its high nutritional value, but its pesticide residues affect international trade. China meets with a refusal repeatedly in export trade of edible fungi, although it is a major exporter of edible fungi. Taking the perspective of maximum residue limits, we compared and analyzed the maximum residue limits for edible fungi between China and other countries to provide suggestions for improving the maximum residue limits of China.

Method Firstly, we elaborated current maximum residue limits for edible fungi of China, Codex Alimentarius Commission and China’s main export trade partners, EU, USA and Japan respectively, and then systematically compared and analyzed the differences in classification of edible fungi, quantities of maximum residue limits and categories of pesticide, maximum residue limits index values.

Result Maximum residue limits for edible fungi in China had several problems, including no separate standards for cultivated fungi and wild fungi, inadequate connection with the international standards like quantities of maximum residue limits, categories of pesticide and maximum residue limits index values, no consideration of pesticides used in actual production.

Conclusion In order to improve the quality, safety and international competitiveness of Chinese edible fungi, to further promote coordinated development of public health and international trade equity, we suggested that China should actively track the international maximum residue limits, establish a unified, quick updated the international maximum residue limits query platform, develop and complete the Chinese edible fungi pesticide maximum residue limits as soon as possible, and actively participate in the revision of international pesticide residue standards.