The EU detects the first oranges from Egypt with prohibited residues and plant protection products

The European Union's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) has detected the first batches of oranges from Egypt with residues exceeding the maximum permitted limit (MRL) and the presence of plant protection products prohibited for European citrus fruits. According to the Valencian Farmers' Association (AVA-Asaja), Egyptian oranges have been intercepted in Italy with 0.21 mg/kg of Chlorpropham, a herbicide and growth regulator banned in the EU since 2019. This figure represents an MRL that can exceed EU legislation by up to 21 times. AVA-Asaja warns that this is not an isolated case. So far in 2026, Egyptian products have already accumulated seven non-compliances reported by the RASFF. Data from previous years reflect an upward trend: Among the prohibited substances detected in Egyptian products over the past five years are insecticides and herbicides such as Chlorfenapyr (banned in 2001), Phentoate and Profenofos (2002), Diazinon (2007), Dimethoate (2019), Chlorpyrifos ...