EPA Sets Safe Limits for Deadly Hydrogen Cyanide in Your Food?
Published Date: 4/22/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA just updated the rules for certain pesticides like hydrogen cyanide to keep our food safe and the environment protected. Farmers, food makers, and pesticide companies should note these changes, which take effect April 22, 2026. If anyone wants to challenge the new rules, they have until June 22, 2026, to speak up—no extra costs, just clearer safety standards!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Finalized Pesticide Tolerance Changes
You are an agricultural producer, food manufacturer, or pesticide company if you use or make pesticides like hydrogen cyanide, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, carboxin, ethofumesate, thiobencarb, or propylene oxide. The EPA finalized new or revised residue tolerances for these active ingredients that take effect April 22, 2026, and list specific parts-per-million limits for affected commodities you grow or process.
Food Safety Protected by Tolerances
You as a food consumer benefit because EPA set legal residue limits (tolerances) to help keep food safe from residues of pesticides such as hydrogen cyanide and propylene oxide. These tolerances are final on April 22, 2026 and specify parts-per-million limits for many commodities to guide safe levels in food.
Ethofumesate Tolerance Expiration Extended
EPA changed the expiration date for a specific ethofumesate tolerance (for 'Beet, sugar, tops') from December 8, 2025 to October 19, 2026. This gives producers and exporters extra time to adapt to the lowered or revoked tolerance level before that particular tolerance expires.
EPA Finds No Significant Small-Business Impact
EPA certified under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Agency states this action has no net burden on small entities subject to the rulemaking.
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