Meat and edible meat offal (HS code(s): 02); Dairy produce; Birds' eggs; Natural honey; Edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included (HS code(s): 04); Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers (HS code(s): 07); Edible fruit and nuts; Peel of citrus fruit or melons (HS code(s): 08); Coffee, tea, maté and spices (HS code(s): 09); Cereals (HS code(s): 10); Products of the milling industry; Malt; Starches; Inulin; Wheat gluten (HS code(s): 11); Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; Miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit; Industrial or medicinal plants; Straw and fodder (HS code(s): 12); Lac; Gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts (HS code(s): 13); Vegetable plaiting materials; Vegetable products not elsewhere specified or included (HS code(s): 14); Animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products; Prepared edible fats; Animal or vegetable waxes (HS code(s): 15); Preparations of meat, of fish, of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates, or of insects (HS code(s): 16); Sugars and sugar confectionery (HS code(s): 17); Cocoa and cocoa preparations (HS code(s): 18); Preparations of cereals, flour, starch or milk; Pastrycooks' products (HS code(s): 19); Preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants (HS code(s): 20); Miscellaneous edible preparations (HS code(s): 21); Beverages, spirits and vinegar (HS code(s): 22); Residues and waste from the food industries; Prepared animal fodder (HS code(s): 23); Soil quality. Pedology (ICS code(s): 13.080); Pesticides and other agrochemicals (ICS code(s): 65.100); Food technology (ICS code(s): 67)

Public Health Protection Notice (Food) (Application of Changes to the Annex to European Union Directives) (Regulation EC 396/2005 - Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides) (Amendment 3), 5786-2026. Language(s): Hebrew. Number of pages: 14

Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 regarding maximum levels of pesticide residues in or on food or feed, of plant or animal origin, amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC, was adopted in Israel within the framework of the Economic Plan Law (Legislative Amendments for the Implementation of Economic Policy for the Budget Years 2021 and 2022), 5782-2021, through an indirect amendment to the Public Health Protection (Food) Law, 5776-2015 (Amendment No. 3), and appears in Item 4 of Appendix II A to the Law. This regulation was applied in Israel on 1 January 2023 but was not fully applied. The exceptions to the adoption of Regulation 396/2005 appear in Column A of Item 4 of Appendix II A, in addition to the exceptions stated in Section 3A(a1) to (a5) of the Law.

To date, orders and notices have been published in the Official Gazette (Reshumot), which included changes that took place in the European Union in Regulation 396/2005, and which were implemented in Israel, with the most recent published on 21 April 2025, being the Public Health Protection Notice (Food) (Application of Changes to the Annex to European Union Directives) (Regulation EC 396/2005 - Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides) (Amendment No. 2), 5785-2025, signed by the director of Health Regulation Directorate (Food, Alcoholic Beverages and Cosmetics) at the Ministry of Health. The latest updated consolidated version, that was adopted and published on the Food Service website following the publication of the aforementioned notice, is the version valid in European legislation as it stood on 7 March 2026.

It is now proposed to apply in Israel the changes that occurred in the European Union in Regulation 396/2005, as detailed below, without modifications, conditions, exceptions, or expansions, while integrating them into the text of Regulation 396/2005, as adopted today. The essence of the changes regards a modification in the maximum permitted levels of pesticide residues. It is also clarified that the exceptions that appear in Column A of Item 4 of Appendix II A will continue to apply to the changes that are proposed to be implemented in Israel.

The changes included in this proposed amendment combine the following EU Regulations amending various Annexes of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, after Item 30:

·      Item 31 - Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140 of 22 January 2026, amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Acequinocyl, Chlormequat, Metalaxyl-M, Pyraclostrobin, Sulfoxaflor and Trifloxystrobin in or on certain products:

1.  In Annex II, replace the columns regarding Acequinocyl, Metalaxyl-M, Pyraclostrobin, Sulfoxaflor and Trifloxystrobin.

2.  In Annex II, replace the column regarding Chlormequat.

·      Item 32 - Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/147 of 22 January 2026, amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Benfluralin, Benthiavalicarb and Penflufen in or on certain products:

1.  In Annex II, delete the columns regarding Benfluralin, Benthiavalicarb and Penflufen.

2.  In Annex V, add the columns regarding Benfluralin, Benthiavalicarb and Penflufen. Explanation: The proposed regulations deal with three active substances, whose approval for use in the European Union was not renewed or for which a stricter risk assessment was conducted, as detailed below: Benfluralin – Reduction of maximum residue levels permitted for this substance to a value of 0.01 mg/kg, which constitutes the laboratory detection threshold (LOD), and transferring it to Annex V of the main regulation; Benthiavalicarb – Cancellation of maximum residue levels (MRLs) previously approved for this substance, and transferring it to Annex V of the main regulation. It should be noted that this substance was previously used mainly for controlling fungal diseases in vegetable crops, such as potatoes and tomatoes, as well as in vineyards. In light of the amendment, the permitted levels in agricultural produce of this type will be reduced to the laboratory detection threshold only; Penflufen – Reduction of maximum residue levels permitted for this substance to the minimum default level established in Annex V. It should be recalled that this substance was previously used mainly for seed and bulb treatment.

·      Item 33 - Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/215 of 29 January 2026, amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Dimoxystrobin, Ethephon and Propamocarb in or on certain products:

1.  In Annex II, delete the columns regarding Dimoxystrobin, Ethephon and Propamocarb.

2.  In Annex V, add the columns regarding Dimoxystrobin, Ethephon and Propamocarb. Explanation: The regulation updates the annexes to Regulation 396/2005, in light of changes in the licensing status of the active substances detailed therein: Regarding the substance Dimoxystrobin, approval for its use in the European Union was not renewed, and therefore the maximum residue levels permitted for it were reduced to the laboratory quantification threshold (LOD); Regarding the substances Ethephon and Propamocarb, a periodic review conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) shows that some of the existing uses are no longer supported by current safety data, or alternatively, are not consistent with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) rules. Therefore, the permitted levels for these substances have been reduced to ensure maximum protection of public health and consumers. Concurrently, it is proposed to establish a transitional provision that will allow the sale of existing inventory that was produced before the proposed regulations come into effect, except for Ethephon residues in or on apples and blueberries, and Propamocarb residues in or on lettuce. For these products, the stricter levels apply almost immediately (or without protection for existing inventory) due to the public health concerns noted in the EFSA review.

·      Item 34 - Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/742 of 30 March 2026, amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Cyflufenamid, Fenazaquin and Nicotine in or on certain products:

1.  In Annex II, replace the columns regarding Cyflufenamid and Fenazaquin. Explanation: For Cyflufenamid, maximum residue levels were established for parsley, mulberries, red and yellow raspberries, as well as for berries and other small fruits; for Fenazaquin, maximum residue levels were established for pepper, tomato and eggplant crops, in accordance with the levels recommended by the competent authority.

2.  In Annex V, add the column regarding Nicotine. Explanation: For Nicotine, the permitted temporary levels were updated for a wide range of agricultural produce, including deciduous fruits (such as apples and pears), citrus fruits, grapes and various vegetables. Regarding nicotine residues in tea, Regulation 2025/115 established a temporary level of 0.5 mg/kg which remained in effect until February 2026. It should be clarified that after this date, the maximum residue level is automatically reduced to 0.4 mg/kg.

·      Item 35 - Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/752 of 31 March 2026, amending Annexe IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Allium fistulosum, processed; Lysate of Willaertia Magna; Magnesium hydroxide E528; Onobrychis Viciifolia (Sainfoin) dried pellets and Vitis vinifera L. seed extract (grape seed extract), in or on certain products:

1.  In Annex IV, add references regarding Allium fistulosum, processed; Lysate of Willaertia Magna; Magnesium hydroxide E528; Onobrychis Viciifolia (Sainfoin) dried pellets and Vitis vinifera L. seed extract (grape seed extract). Explanation: The regulation relies on scientific and professional assessments conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Within the framework of these assessments, the safety of several active substances was examined and it was determined that they are not toxic to humans and that they decompose or are absorbed in the environment in a manner that does not pose a risk to public health. In light of the absence of risk as mentioned, it is proposed to add to Annex IV, which concerns substances exempt from the obligation to establish maximum residue levels (MRL) for them, the five active substances mentioned above.

·      Item 36 - Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/751 of 31 March 2026, amending Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Flupyradifurone and Potassium Phosphonate in or on certain products:

1.  In Annex II, replace the columns regarding Flupyradifurone and Potassium Phosphonate. Explanation: The regulation is intended to update Annex II, which concerns maximum permitted residue levels (MRL) in food products, with the aim of ensuring consumer protection and preventing unnecessary trade barriers. Regulation 2026/751 updates the maximum residue levels for the following active substances: Flupyradifurone - updates upward the maximum permitted residue levels for this active substance in several crops, particularly in pineapple crops and sunflower seeds; Potassium phosphonate: updates upward the maximum permitted residue levels for this active substance in a wide range of agricultural crops. This determination applies, among others, to a variety of leafy vegetables (such as lettuce, arugula, and spinach), as well as to artichoke, poppy seeds, barley, oats and rye. The aforementioned updates are based on data and risk assessments that were discussed and approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and international standardization institutions, which determined that these levels are safe for the consuming public and comply with Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) rules.