EPA Caps Bug-Killing Chemical in Your Black Pepper Supply
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA just set a safe limit for thiamethoxam pesticide residue on black pepper at 0.15 parts per million. This affects farmers, food makers, and pesticide companies who handle black pepper. The new rule kicks in on December 19, 2025, and anyone wanting to object has until February 17, 2026, to speak up.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Data submission required within five years
EPA will issue data call-ins requiring submitters to provide data showing measured residue levels are not above anticipated levels, and those data must be submitted no later than 5 years from issuance of the tolerance (i.e., by December 19, 2030). This requirement applies as part of FFDCA section 408(f)(1).
New thiamethoxam limit on black pepper
EPA established a maximum residue limit for the pesticide thiamethoxam on black pepper at 0.15 parts per million (ppm). The tolerance is effective December 19, 2025 and applies to pepper, black (there are no U.S. registrations for this commodity as of December 19, 2025).
EPA finds exposures below concern levels
EPA concluded aggregate exposures from thiamethoxam (with the new 0.15 ppm tolerance on black pepper) are below levels of concern: acute exposure is 13% of the aPAD for infants, and chronic exposure is 75% of the cPAD for children 1–2 years old. EPA determined there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result to the general population, including infants and children.
Tolerance set higher than petition request
The petitioner (American Spice Trade Association) requested a tolerance of 0.1 ppm, but EPA established the tolerance at 0.15 ppm because monitoring data demonstrated 0.15 ppm was the appropriate level. This change from the petition is finalized in the rule effective December 19, 2025.
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