EPA Quietly Sets New Pesticide Limits on Common Foods
Published Date: 6/30/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA just set safe limits for bifenthrin pesticide residues on several foods, helping farmers and food makers know the rules. This new rule kicks in on June 30, 2026, and anyone who wants to object has until August 31, 2026, to speak up. It’s a win for safe food and clear guidelines, with no extra costs announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Five-year data submission requirement
Under FFDCA authorities, EPA will require data demonstrating that residue levels in food are not above the levels anticipated; those data will be required to be submitted no later than 5 years from the date of issuance of these tolerances.
Children's safety factor set to 1X
EPA determined that the FQPA safety factor for infants and children for the pyrethroid pesticides (including bifenthrin) can be reduced to 1X, and concluded there is a reasonable certainty of no harm to infants and children from aggregate exposure to bifenthrin residues.
New legal residue limits on many foods
EPA established new maximum residue limits (tolerances) for bifenthrin on many foods effective June 30, 2026. Examples include celtuce at 3 ppm; coffee, green bean at 0.05 ppm; milk at 0.2 ppm and milk fat at 3 ppm; tropical and subtropical palm fruit (edible peel) subgroup 23C at 4 ppm; and clover, hay at 30 ppm; the full list of commodities and ppm levels is in the rule.
Which businesses may be affected
EPA says this action may potentially affect agricultural producers, food manufacturers, and pesticide manufacturers (NAICS codes: crop production 111; animal production 112; food manufacturing 311; pesticide manufacturing 32532). The rule establishes and revises tolerances for many commodities, and removes certain previously listed tolerances.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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