United Kingdom has introduced new environmental and food safety measures targeting plastic wet wipes and mangoes with updated maximum residue levels, including a new MRL for potassium phosphonates in mangoes and a revised MRL for acetamiprid in strawberries.
UK Bans Plastic Wet Wipes and Sets New Pesticide Limits for Fruit
Sellers must stop plastic wet wipes while importers must meet new residue levels for mangoes and strawberries.
What changed
Sale of plastic wet wipes prohibited for beauty, skin care, cleaning and manicure products.
New MRL for potassium phosphonates in mangoes to support imports from South Africa.
Revised MRL for acetamiprid in strawberries following extended use authorization.
Who it affects
Wet wipe manufacturers and sellers must remove plastic from beauty, cleaning and manicure products.
Mango importers must ensure shipments meet the new potassium phosphonate residue level.
Strawberry growers and importers must comply with the updated acetamiprid residue limit.
Regulation Analysis: New UK Environmental and Food Safety Measures
The United Kingdom has introduced two key regulatory updates targeting plastic wet wipes and pesticide maximum residue levels (MRLs) in food products, specifically mangoes (potassium phosphonates) and strawberries (acetamiprid). Below is a structured breakdown of the requirements, thresholds, and enforcement provisions.
1. Ban on Plastic Wet Wipes
Regulation: The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Scotland) Regulations 2027 (effective 11 August 2027)1. Key Provisions:
- Prohibition: It is an offence to supply or offer to supply wet wipes containing plastic in the course of a business, subject to limited exemptions1.
- Exemptions:
- Medical use: Supply by/under direction of a healthcare professional for preventative care, diagnosis, research, or treatment.
- Registered pharmacies: Wet wipes may be supplied if:
- Not advertised to customers in Scotland1.
- Not visible/accessible to customers (must be provided only upon request)1.
- Online sales are permitted (e.g., via pharmacy websites)1.
- Business/local authority supply: Wet wipes may be supplied to businesses or local authorities for operational purposes.
- Penalties:
- Level 5 fine (up to £5,000) on summary conviction for non-compliance1.
- Corporate liability applies (directors/managers may be prosecuted for offences committed with their consent/neglect).
- Enforcement:
- Authorised officers may require compliance with investigations; failure to cooperate is an offence.
Definition:
- A wet wipe is a pre-wetted, non-reusable non-woven fabric1.
2. Updated Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for Pesticides
A. Potassium Phosphonates in Mangoes
Regulation: GB MRL Statutory Register (amended 28 May 2025)2. Key Update:
- New MRL for mangoes: 100 mg/kg (previously 2 mg/kg, marked as the Limit of Determination)2.
- Scope: Applies to fresh or frozen mangoes (code 0163030)2.
- Residue Definition: Not explicitly stated for potassium phosphonates in the provided text, but footnotes clarify processing factors (e.g., drying) for spices like ginger/horseradish2.
B. Acetamiprid in Strawberries
Regulation: GB MRL Statutory Register (amended 28 May 2025)3. Key Update:
- Revised MRL for strawberries: 0.6 mg/kg (no prior value specified in the provided text; strawberries fall under berries and small fruit, code 0152000)3.
- Residue Definition: "Sum of acetamiprid and N-desmethyl-acetamiprid (IM-2-1), expressed as acetamiprid"3.
- Confirmatory Data Requirement:
Other Notable MRL Updates
| Pesticide | Commodity | New MRL (mg/kg) | Footnotes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potassium phosphonates | Tree nuts (e.g., almonds) | 500 | Applies to all tree nuts (code 0120000) | 2 |
| Potassium phosphonates | Pome fruits (e.g., apples) | 150 | Includes apples, pears, quinces (code 0130000) | 2 |
| Acetamiprid | Citrus fruits (e.g., oranges) | 0.9 | Applies to all citrus (code 0110000) | 3 |
| Acetamiprid | Lettuce | 1.5 | Includes head lettuce (code 0251020) | 3 |
Transitional Provisions:
- MRLs for radish leaves (code not specified) apply from 1 January 20252, 3.
- Ginger/horseradish: MRLs for spices are derived from fresh produce MRLs, adjusted for drying (per Article 20(1) of Assimilated Regulation 396/2005)2, 3.
Enforcement and Compliance
- Authority: The UK Competent Authority (likely the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or Food Standards Agency (FSA)) oversees MRL enforcement2, 3.
- Data Submission: Businesses must provide supplementary data (e.g., residue trials) previously requested by EFSA/EU Commission2, 3.
- Penalties: Non-compliance with MRLs may result in criminal prosecution under the Food Safety Act 1990 or Pesticides Regulations 2011, including fines or imprisonment.
Summary Answer
The UK has implemented two distinct regulatory measures:
- Plastic wet wipes are banned from supply in Scotland from 11 August 2027, with exemptions for medical use, registered pharmacies (under strict conditions), and business/local authority supply. Non-compliance carries a Level 5 fine1.
- Pesticide MRLs have been updated:
- Potassium phosphonates in mangoes: 100 mg/kg (effective 28 May 2025)2.
- Acetamiprid in strawberries: 0.6 mg/kg (residue definition includes metabolites)3.
- Businesses must submit confirmatory data to the UK Competent Authority2, 3. Transitional provisions apply to radish leaves (from 1 January 2025)2, 3.
All cited sources (1,2,3) are addressed. For full commodity lists, consult Part 1 of the GB MRL Statutory Register.
Sources
- ↩ legislation.gov.uk — 75 / made https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2026/75/made
- ↩ New GB MRL for potassium phosphonates amending the GB MRL Statutory Register https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/SPS/GBR/25_04627_00_e.pdf
- ↩ New GB MRL for acetamiprid amending the GB MRL Statutory Register https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2025/SPS/GBR/25_04644_00_e.pdf