Guidance document on risk assessment using brew factor for fixation of MRLs of Pesticides in Tea submitted by China and India in their capacity as Co-chairs of the Working Group on MRLs in Brew at the Intersessional Meeting of Intergovernmental Groupon Tea held at Rome, Italy on 5th and 6th May 2014

摘要

The Working groups on MRL and Tea Brew of FAO-Intergovernmental (IGG) on Tea has presented a policy document entitled "Assessment of MRLs for Pesticides in Tea" presented by China and India at the 44th CCPR Session at Shanghai, China on 23-28 April 2012 under Agenda item 12 (b) supported by two reference documents [Ref Doc: PR 44 CRD 10 (China) & PR 44 CRD 29 (India)]. The presentation highlighted the fact that though the dry tea leaves is the traded commodity, it is the brew or liquor which is the form actually consumed. Hence all standard setting bodies including JMPR, Codex and national regulatory agencies should consider the residue in tea brew or both in brew and tea leaves, when setting MRLs. The concept of using the brew factor (Barooah et al., 2011) and compilations of available data on extent of possible transfer of pesticide residues into tea liquor from dry tea (Chen, 2011) has served as the basis of this logic. The consideration for taking into account the pesticide residues in tea infusion in the establishment of MRLs in tea was evident in the 44th CCPR Committee conclusion which mentioned that "...The Committee supported the current procedure of JMPR in the establishment of MRLs for pesticides in tea and encouraged countries to submit relevant data/ information on brewing factors and standard methods to JMPR for consideration in estimation of MRLs for pesticides in tea." The recognition of brew factor has a great significance as it will pave the way for setting realistic MRLs in teaas risk assessment on dry tea alone would have eliminated a number of useful products. MRLs fixed in tea after assessing risk to consumers based on brew factor will satisfactorily ensure food safety and should be acceptable to all stakeholders. It willalso give the scope for upward revision of many stringent MRLs set earlier based on risk assessment on dry tea leaves alone.