India

Partial country profile IN Southern Asia

All countries can be selected. A scientific country assessment, however, exists only where we found and checked reliable sources.

Applicable frameworks: India · International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

At a glance

Data availability by topic
TopicApplicable frameworks
Pesticides and pesticide residuesIndia Data quality: low
Veterinary medicines and antibioticsIndia Data quality: low
Hormonal growth promotersIndia Data quality: very low
Contaminants (heavy metals, PFAS, PCBs, dioxins, nitrate)India Data quality: very low
Mycotoxins (mould toxins)India Data quality: moderate
Pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter, etc.)international framework only International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO) Data quality: moderate
Additives and processingIndia Data quality: very low
Animal husbandry and feedIndia Data quality: very low
Controls, imports, recalls, labellingIndia Data quality: low
Drinking waterIndia Data quality: moderate

National profile: India

India sets limits for pesticide residues, antibiotics and contaminants under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. Pesticides without a specific limit must stay below 0.01 mg/kg. Since April 2025, several antibiotics, including colistin and chloramphenicol, may not be used at any stage of producing milk, meat, poultry, eggs or fish. Colistin had already been banned for food animals and feed in 2019. In FSSAI's representative 2018 milk survey, 5.7% of samples exceeded the aflatoxin M1 limit and 1.2% exceeded antibiotic limits. About 3% of food samples tested for pesticides exceeded limits (2022-25). Small studies show that antibiotics are often used on poultry farms, including for prevention. National data on the quantities of antibiotics used in animals were not found.

Research scope: Searched FSSAI documents (FSS Act 2006, Contaminants/Toxins/Residues compendium 2020, milk surveys 2018 and 2022), USDA FAS GAIN (2026 amendment), parliamentary replies as quoted in news-agency reports, BIS IS 10500, the WHO GHO (JMP) API and PubMed (poultry antibiotic use). The FSSAI website is a JavaScript application, and ppqs.gov.in (CIB&RC banned-pesticide list), cibrc.nic.in, eparlib.nic.in, rsdebate.nic.in and static.pib.gov.in were blocked or unreachable, so gazette texts of the 2019 colistin ban and the 2024/2026 residue amendments, and the official banned-pesticide list, were not read. Microbiology (Salmonella, Campylobacter, outbreak surveillance), food-additive regulations in detail, feed regulation, import regulations and national veterinary antimicrobial-use quantities were not covered.

Last checked: 25 October 2026

Pesticides and pesticide residues – India

Data quality: low Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
FSS Act 2006 Sec. 21: residues above regulated tolerance limits prohibited; no insecticide used directly on food except registered fumigants. FSS (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations 2011, Reg. 2.3.1: crop-specific MRLs; a tolerance limit of 0.01 mg/kg applies to pesticides without a fixed MRL. Pesticide registration is under the Insecticides Act 1968 (Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee); the official banned/restricted list could not be accessed.
B. What is actually used in production?
Not documented in the sources read. MPRNL reports detections of off-label and banned pesticides to the States, but the counts were not available.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
FSSAI (Rajya Sabha reply, Aug 2025): 86,401 food samples analysed for pesticide residues 2022-25, 2.8% above MRLs. MPRNL (Ministry of Agriculture) 2018-2023: more than 130,000 samples of vegetables, fruit, spices, cereals, animal products, tea and water; residues detected in 28%; 3.5% above FSSAI MRLs.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
No official dietary risk assessment was read.
E. How robust are the data?
Both figures are aggregates over several years and commodity groups; sampling design (random vs targeted) not specified; FSSAI figures include targeted enforcement drives. The MPRNL abstract does not state representativeness.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Pesticides: samples above the maximum residue level
pest_mrl_exceed_pct
FSSAI surveillance and enforcement sampling
Multi-year aggregate; commodity mix unknown.
2.8 % of samples above MRL2022-202586,401mixedall foodsRS-IN-07
Pesticides: samples above the maximum residue level
pest_mrl_exceed_pct
MPRNL (Ministry of Agriculture)
n stated as 'more than 1.30 lakh'.
3.5 % of samples above FSSAI MRL2018-2023130,000unknowndomestic productsRS-IN-08
Pesticides: samples with measurable residues
pest_quantified_pct
MPRNL (Ministry of Agriculture)
'Detected', reporting limit not stated.
28 % of samples with detected residues2018-2023130,000unknowndomestic productsRS-IN-08

Notes on foods

  • Fruit and vegetables: About 3% of tested samples exceeded MRLs in national monitoring; fruit and vegetables are the main commodities sampled.

Sources: RS-IN-01, RS-IN-02, RS-IN-07, RS-IN-08, RS-IN-21

Veterinary medicines and antibiotics – India

Data quality: low Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
FSS (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations Reg. 2.3.2 set tolerance limits per drug and tissue (e.g. seafood: tetracycline 0.1 mg/kg) and an extraneous limit of 0.001 mg/kg (chloramphenicol 0.0003 mg/kg) for prohibited substances. The First Amendment Regulations 2024 (in force 1 Apr 2025, per CSE analysis) prohibit glycopeptides, nitrofurans, nitroimidazoles, carbadox, chloramphenicol, colistin, streptomycin/dihydrostreptomycin and sulphamethoxazole at any stage of production of milk, meat, poultry, eggs and aquaculture, and add six antibiotics to the tolerance list (27 in total). MoHFW notification of 19 Jul 2019 (Drugs and Cosmetics Act) banned manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin for food-producing animals, poultry, aquaculture and feed supplements.
B. What is actually used in production?
Small peer-reviewed surveys: Ludhiana (Punjab) 2025, antibiotic use on 85% of 20 poultry farms and 70% of 20 cattle farms; Assam/Karnataka 2024, all 11 veterinarians used tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and cephalexin on poultry farms, 72.6% of 62 farmers would treat all birds if one is sick, 45.5% of vets said antibiotics boost growth. Punjab 2017: MDR E. coli in 94% of broiler and 60% of layer isolates. No national quantity data (tonnes or mg/PCU) were found.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
NMSQS 2018: antibiotic residues above limits in 77 of 6,432 milk samples (1.2%). Milk surveillance Oct 2022 (12 States): 3 of 798 samples unsafe due to meloxicam or sulfadimidine above limits, all raw loose milk; all 394 pasteurised samples compliant.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Studies link farm antibiotic use to resistant E. coli in poultry, cattle and farm workers; no official risk assessment of residues was read.
E. How robust are the data?
Residue data come mainly from milk; no national residue monitoring results for meat, eggs or fish were found. Practice studies are small, regional and self-reported. The CSE description of the 2024 amendment is a secondary source.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Veterinary drugs: non-compliant samples
vetdrug_noncompliant_pct
FSSAI National Milk Safety and Quality Survey 2018
Towns >50,000 population; FSSAI calls the design representative.
1.2 % of milk samples with antibiotic residues above limits20186,432representativedomestic productsRS-IN-05
Veterinary drugs: non-compliant samples
vetdrug_noncompliant_pct
FSSAI milk surveillance in lumpy-skin-disease and control States
3/798; meloxicam (2), sulfadimidine (1).
0.4 % of milk samples unsafe due to veterinary drug residues2022798targeteddomestic productsRS-IN-06

Notes on foods

  • Dairy: 1.2% of milk samples exceeded antibiotic limits in 2018; in 2022, 3 of 798 raw loose samples, none of the pasteurised samples.
  • Poultry: Regional studies document routine and preventive antibiotic use on poultry farms; colistin banned for food animals since 2019.
  • Fish and seafood: Antibiotic tolerance limits for seafood; nitrofurans, chloramphenicol, malachite green and crystal violet not permitted.

Sources: RS-IN-02, RS-IN-04, RS-IN-09, RS-IN-05, RS-IN-06, RS-IN-13, RS-IN-14, RS-IN-15

Hormonal growth promoters – India

Data quality: very low Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
FSS Act Sec. 20: hormones in food above regulated quantities prohibited. Clenbuterol, diethylstilbestrol and 'stilbenes and other steroids' are listed as not permitted at any stage of processing of meat, poultry, eggs and seafood (extraneous limit 0.001 mg/kg). Oxytocin: notification GSR 411(E) of 27 Apr 2018 restricted manufacture for domestic use to the public-sector KAPL, citing misuse in milch cattle; the Delhi High Court quashed it on 14 Dec 2018; the Supreme Court referred the Union's appeal to a larger bench in Aug 2019. Oxytocin was placed in Schedule H1 (sales records).
B. What is actually used in production?
Government cited oxytocin injection of milch cattle to increase milk let-down; IMA stated most veterinary use comes from illegal imports. No quantitative data found.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
No residue data for hormones or oxytocin in milk were found.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Not assessed in sources read.
E. How robust are the data?
Final Supreme Court decision on oxytocin not found. bST status not researched.

Notes on foods

  • Dairy: Oxytocin misuse in dairy animals is a policy concern; the 2018 manufacturing restriction was quashed by the Delhi High Court; no residue data found.

Sources: RS-IN-01, RS-IN-02, RS-IN-10, RS-IN-11, RS-IN-12

Contaminants (heavy metals, PFAS, PCBs, dioxins, nitrate) – India

Data quality: very low Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
FSS (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations 2011, Reg. 2.1 metal contaminants (e.g. lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, tin). FSS (CTR) Amendment Regulations 2026 (notified 14 May 2026, in force 1 Dec 2026) revise limits for lead, arsenic, cadmium and aflatoxins in pulses, edible oils, seafood and other foods; values not read.
B. What is actually used in production?
Not applicable.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
FSSAI milk surveillance Oct 2022 (targeted, 12 States): no heavy-metal exceedances in 798 samples (7 metals). No other national contaminant monitoring results were found.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Not assessed.
E. How robust are the data?
Current limit values (post-2026 amendment) not verified.

Sources: RS-IN-02, RS-IN-03, RS-IN-06

Mycotoxins (mould toxins) – India

Data quality: moderate Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
FSS (CTR) Regulations: limits for total aflatoxins, aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin M1 (liquid milk 0.5 ug/kg; milk powders), ochratoxin A, patulin, deoxynivalenol. Aflatoxin limits revised by the 2026 amendment (in force 1 Dec 2026).
B. What is actually used in production?
FSSAI (2019): aflatoxin M1 enters milk through feed and fodder, which were then not regulated.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
NMSQS 2018: aflatoxin M1 above limit in 368 of 6,432 milk samples (5.7%); Tamil Nadu 88/551, Delhi 38/262, Kerala 37/187; more frequent in processed than raw milk.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
FSSAI stated that levels in failed samples were 'not high' and 'unlikely to pose serious threat'; no formal risk assessment read.
E. How robust are the data?
Single national survey (2018) with a documented design; no later national aflatoxin M1 survey found.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Aflatoxin M1: samples above the limit
aflatoxin_m1_exceed_pct
FSSAI National Milk Safety and Quality Survey 2018
Limit 0.5 ug/kg (FSSAI regulation). Urban areas >50,000 population.
5.7 % of liquid milk samples above aflatoxin M1 limit20186,432representativedomestic productsRS-IN-05

Notes on foods

  • Dairy: 5.7% of milk samples exceeded the aflatoxin M1 limit in 2018, linked by FSSAI to contaminated feed.

Sources: RS-IN-02, RS-IN-03, RS-IN-05

Additives and processing – India

Data quality: very low Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
FSS Act Sec. 19: food may contain additives or processing aids only as permitted by regulations (FSS Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations 2011; text not read).
B. What is actually used in production?
Not documented.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
NMSQS 2018: maltodextrin in 156 and sugar in 78 of 6,432 milk samples (mainly processed milk); 12 samples adulterated (hydrogen peroxide 6, detergent 3, urea 2, neutraliser 1).
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
FSSAI: maltodextrin and sugar not unsafe; the 12 adulterated samples unsafe.
E. How robust are the data?
Additive regulation itself not reviewed.

Notes on foods

  • Dairy: Adulteration that made milk unsafe was found in 12 of 6,432 samples (2018).

Sources: RS-IN-01, RS-IN-05

Animal husbandry and feed – India

Data quality: very low Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
Colistin banned for animal feed supplements (2019). FSSAI stated in 2019 that cattle feed and fodder were not regulated; current feed rules were not verified.
B. What is actually used in production?
Regional studies show frequent prophylactic antibiotic use in poultry; one study reports some veterinarians consider antibiotics growth-promoting.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
No feed monitoring data found.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Not assessed.
E. How robust are the data?
Cage/housing and aquaculture rules not researched beyond the 2024 coastal aquaculture antibiotic list (secondary source).

Sources: RS-IN-05, RS-IN-09, RS-IN-14, RS-IN-04

Controls, imports, recalls, labelling – India

Data quality: low Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
FSS Act 2006 created FSSAI; about 98% of food businesses are under State/UT food safety authorities, which carry out most enforcement. FSSAI runs a National Annual Surveillance Plan with monthly drives.
B. What is actually used in production?
2024 spice case: after Hong Kong and Singapore recalls of MDH and Everest products for ethylene oxide (April 2024), FSSAI ran a pan-India sampling drive; media report that FSSAI found no EtO in MDH and Everest samples tested domestically and over 300 other spice samples, and that 111 licences were suspended (media figures, not officially verified).
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
2025-26 (provisional): 223,808 food samples analysed, 40,023 'non-conforming' (17.9%), covering adulterated, substandard, unsafe and misbranded food without breakdown; 520,566 inspections.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Not applicable.
E. How robust are the data?
Enforcement sampling, not representative; 'non-conforming' mixes safety and labelling failures; figure from a media report of Lok Sabha replies.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Official sampling: non-compliant
official_sampling_noncompliant_pct
FSSAI and State/UT food safety authorities enforcement sampling
Provisional; includes misbranding and substandard quality.
17.9 % of enforcement samples non-conforming (40,023/223,808)2025-26223,808risk-basedall foodsRS-IN-20

Sources: RS-IN-01, RS-IN-07, RS-IN-19, RS-IN-20

Drinking water – India

Data quality: moderate Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
IS 10500:2012 (BIS, second revision) sets acceptable and permissible limits; E. coli and total coliforms must not be detectable in 100 ml. Jal Jeevan Mission targets functional household tap connections supplying 55 litres per person per day of IS 10500 quality.
B. What is actually used in production?
JJM: rural household tap connections rose from 3.24 crore (16.71%) in Aug 2019 to 15.79 crore (81.57%) on 29 Jan 2026 (ministry statement).
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
WHO/UNICEF JMP: safely managed drinking water 76.4% of the population in 2024 (urban 83.0%, rural 72.6%; 61.2% in 2015).
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Not assessed.
E. How robust are the data?
JJM counts connections, not water quality; JMP values are modelled estimates.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Safely managed drinking water (WHO/UNICEF)
water_safely_managed_pct
WHO/UNICEF JMP
Urban 83.0, rural 72.6.
76.4 % of population using safely managed drinking water2024–unknownall foodsRS-IN-18

Sources: RS-IN-16, RS-IN-17, RS-IN-18

Sources – India (21)
  1. RS-IN-01: Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Act No. 34 of 2006) – Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India (FSSAI copy) (2006). https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/FOOD-ACT.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  2. RS-IN-02: Compendium: Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 (Version V, 19.08.2020) – FSSAI (2020). https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Contaminants_Regulations_20_08_2020.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  3. RS-IN-07: FSSAI tests 86,401 food samples, finds 2.8% exceed pesticide residue limits (IANS, 7 Aug 2025) – IANS via Punjab Kesari, quoting Rajya Sabha written reply of MoS Health (2025). https://english.punjabkesari.com/india/2025/08/07/fssai-tested-86401-food-samples-for-pesticide-residues-28pc-exceeded-limits-govt (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  4. RS-IN-08: Pesticide Residues in Food Commodities in India: An overview – Indian Journal of Plant Protection 52(1) (ICAR AINP on Pesticide Residues authors) (2024). https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJPP/article/view/163473 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  5. RS-IN-21: CIB&RC / PPQS list of pesticides banned, refused registration and restricted in use; Rajya Sabha unstarred question 2425 (21 Mar 2025) – Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage; Rajya Sabha (2025). https://ppqs.gov.in/divisions/cib-rc/registered-products (Not verified, accessed 2026-10-25)
  6. RS-IN-04: FSSAI bans use of antibiotics in production of food animals - here's what it means (Down To Earth, 27 Nov 2024) – Minocha R, Sinha R (Centre for Science and Environment) (2024). https://www.downtoearth.org.in/amp/story/food/fssai-bans-use-of-antibiotics-in-production-of-food-animals-heres-what-it-means (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  7. RS-IN-09: Smart Regulation of Antibiotic Use in India Blog: Colistin ban in India – Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh (2019). https://www.law.ed.ac.uk/news-events/news/smart-regulation-antibiotic-use-india-blog-colistin-ban-india (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  8. RS-IN-05: National Milk Safety and Quality Survey 2018 - Executive Summary (released 18 Oct 2019) – FSSAI (2019). https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Report_Milk_Survey_NMQS_Final_18_10_2019.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  9. RS-IN-06: Surveillance on milk (lumpy skin disease affected and control States), 27-28 Oct 2022 – FSSAI (executed by NCML) (2022). https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/sample.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  10. RS-IN-13: The Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia Coli in Poultry Chickens and Variation According to Farming Practices in Punjab, India – Brower CH, Mandal S, Hayer S, ... Laxminarayan R (Environ Health Perspect) (2017). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28749780/ (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  11. RS-IN-14: Knowledge and practices related to antibiotics among poultry producers and veterinarians in two Indian states – Sharma G, Dey TK, Hazarika RA, Shome BR, et al. (One Health) (2024). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38516289/ (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  12. RS-IN-15: Multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in poultry and cattle farms in India: Prevalence and survey-based risk factors – Malik H, Singh R, Kaur S, Parmar N, et al. (J Glob Antimicrob Resist) (2025). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40716705/ (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  13. RS-IN-10: The Oxytocin ban: The judgment and legal issues – Srinivasan S (Indian J Med Ethics) (2019). https://ijme.in/articles/the-oxytocin-ban-the-judgment-and-legal-issues/?galley=html (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  14. RS-IN-11: Misuse of oxytocin in milch animals vs its use as essential life saving drug: SC refers Centre's appeal to larger bench (LiveLaw, 22 Aug 2019) – LiveLaw (2019). https://livelaw.in/news-updates/oxytocin-sc-refers-centre-appeal-to-larger-bench-147391 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  15. RS-IN-12: Oxytocin ban: Karnataka pharma PSU incapable of handling responsibility, says IMA (Down To Earth, 13 Feb 2019) – Kaur B (Down To Earth) (2019). https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/oxytocin-ban-karnataka-pharma-psu-incapable-of-handling-responsibility-says-ima-63225 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  16. RS-IN-03: FSSAI Publishes Final Regulations on Contaminants, Toxins and Residues (GAIN IN2026-0044) – USDA FAS New Delhi (2026). https://agriexchange.apeda.gov.in/ImportRegulations/999992026821113746381.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  17. RS-IN-19: FSSAI finds no EtO traces in spice samples of MDH and Everest (Storyboard18, 22 May 2024) – Storyboard18 (media) (2024). https://www.storyboard18.com/quantum-brief/fssai-finds-no-eto-traces-in-spice-samples-of-mdh-and-everest-32276.htm (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  18. RS-IN-20: Over 40,000 food samples failed safety tests in FY26, govt tells Parliament (NewKerala/IANS, Jul 2026) – Media report of MoHFW written replies in Lok Sabha (2026). https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/over-40000-food-samples-failed-safety-tests-fy26-680.htm (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  19. RS-IN-16: IS 10500:2012 Drinking Water - Specification (Second Revision) – Bureau of Indian Standards (copy hosted by CPCB) (2012). https://cpcb.nic.in/wqm/BIS_Drinking_Water_Specification.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  20. RS-IN-17: Ministry of Jal Shakti statement on Jal Jeevan Mission progress (quoted by HumanProgress) – Ministry of Jal Shakti (quoted) (2026). https://humanprogress.org/?p=51439 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  21. RS-IN-18: WHO Global Health Observatory - JMP indicator WSH_WATER_SAFELY_MANAGED, India – WHO/UNICEF JMP via WHO GHO OData API (2026). https://ghoapi.azureedge.net/api/WSH_WATER_SAFELY_MANAGED?$filter=SpatialDim%20eq%20'IND' (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)

International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Codex Alimentarius, run by FAO and WHO, sets international food standards: maximum residue limits for pesticides and veterinary drugs, maximum levels for contaminants such as aflatoxins and lead, additive rules and hygiene codes. These standards are voluntary. A country is bound only by its own law, but under WTO rules Codex is the reference point in trade disputes. Codex accepts some hormonal growth promoters and ractopamine; the ractopamine limits were adopted in 2012 by a vote of 69 to 67, and many countries, including the EU and China, still ban it. WHO recommends stopping antibiotic use for growth promotion and for routine prevention in healthy animals; WOAH reports that 22% of reporting countries still allowed growth promoters in 2022. WHO estimates that unsafe food caused about 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths in 2021, with the highest burden in Africa and South-East Asia. There is no international monitoring that measures residues in each country's food; such data come from national programmes.

Research scope: International reference framework: Codex Alimentarius (standards, MRL databases, CAC 2012 report), WHO (antimicrobial guidelines and MIA List, GEMS/Food, Drinking-water Guidelines, foodborne disease burden estimates 2015 and 2026), FAO (JECFA/JMPR, INFOSAN), WOAH ANIMUSE 9th report, WHO/UNICEF JMP and IARC classifications, all read from primary documents in October 2026. These are voluntary references, not laws of any country; they are shown when a country has no researched profile. Not covered or not verifiable: WOAH animal-welfare housing chapters, a 10th ANIMUSE report (not found), the post-2012 Codex status of bovine somatotropin from a primary report, and Codex positions on PFAS (no ML exists).

Last checked: 25 October 2026

Pesticides and pesticide residues – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: moderate Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. Codex sets maximum residue limits (CXLs) for pesticide/commodity combinations. Scientific basis: the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR, since 1963) evaluates toxicology (acceptable daily intake, acute reference dose) and residue data; the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues proposes the limits; the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) adopts them. The Codex database lists MRLs and extraneous MRLs adopted up to CAC 49 (July 2026). Up to 2024, CAC had adopted 6,453 MRLs and 63 EMRLs. A Codex MRL applies at the point of entry into a country or into trade channels. Codex does not approve or ban pesticide active substances; registration and bans are national decisions.
B. What is actually used in production?
Not documented at the international level. Codex and JMPR do not collect data on actual pesticide use.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
No international monitoring programme reports MRL exceedance rates. WHO GEMS/Food collects contaminant and residue data submitted voluntarily by national institutions (more than 9 million analytical results in total). These data are not representative samples and are not published as exceedance rates per country.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
JMPR derives health-based guidance values (ADI, ARfD) and dietary exposure estimates (IESTI for short-term, IEDI with GEMS/Food cluster diets for long-term intake). Exceeding an MRL is non-compliance with a legal limit; whether it is a health concern depends on estimated intake relative to the ADI/ARfD (the JMPR approach). The 2026 WHO foodborne disease burden estimates did not include pesticide residues because of insufficient data.
E. How robust are the data?
High for the legal reference values (official, current database). There are no globally comparable data on use or residue levels. Country exceedance rates depend on national MRLs, sampling design (random vs risk-based) and laboratory scope, so they cannot be compared with Codex values directly.

Notes on foods

  • Fruit and vegetables: Codex MRLs exist for many fruit and vegetable commodities; national MRLs can be lower or higher.
  • Cereals and rice: Codex MRLs apply to cereal grains as traded (raw agricultural commodity).

Sources: RS-INT-01, RS-INT-02, RS-INT-05, RS-INT-07, RS-INT-36, RS-INT-21, RS-INT-29

Veterinary medicines and antibiotics – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: moderate Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. Codex MRLs and risk management recommendations (RMRs) for veterinary drug residues are listed in CXM 2-2024, based on JECFA evaluations. RMRs state that there is no safe residue level and that authorities should prevent residues by not using the substance in food-producing animals: carbadox, chloramphenicol, chlorpromazine, dimetridazole, furazolidone, gentian violet, ipronidazole, malachite green, metronidazole, nitrofural, olaquindox, ronidazole and stilbenes. Antimicrobial resistance: Codex CXC 61-2005 (amended 2021) states that responsible use does not include growth promotion with medically important antimicrobials; medically important antimicrobials should be used only for treatment, control or prevention under professional oversight. Codex CXC 54-2004 states antibiotics should not be used in feed for growth promotion without a public health safety assessment. WHO guidelines (2017) recommend an overall reduction in use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals, complete restriction for growth promotion and for prevention in healthy animals (strong recommendations, low-quality evidence), and suggest not using critically important antimicrobials for group control and not using highest-priority ones for treatment (conditional, very low-quality evidence). The WHO MIA List (2024) classes 3rd/4th-generation cephalosporins, quinolones, polymyxins (e.g. colistin) and phosphonic acid derivatives (fosfomycin) as highest priority critically important (HPCIA).
B. What is actually used in production?
WOAH ANIMUSE, 9th report (2025, data year 2022): 70,648 tonnes of antimicrobials reported for animals by 107 participants (adjusted estimate up to 74,035 t). Biomass-adjusted use 89-93 mg/kg (71% of global animal biomass covered); terrestrial food animals 95-98 mg/kg; aquatic 21 mg/kg. Trend panel of 85 participants (62% of biomass): 102 mg/kg in 2020 to 97 mg/kg in 2022 (-5%). Regional changes 2020-2022: Africa -20%, Americas -4%, Europe -23%, Asia-Pacific -2%, Middle East +43% (Middle East participants cover only 17% of the region's biomass). Tetracyclines (28.29%) and penicillins (17.75%) were the largest classes; fluoroquinolones 3.7%, polymyxins 1.8%, 3rd/4th-gen cephalosporins 0.9%. In 2022, 34 of 157 Members (22%) still reported antimicrobial growth promoter use; 112 (71%) reported it is no longer authorised. Colistin as a growth promoter was still reported by 8 participants. Regional mg/kg levels by country are not published in the report; only 38 of 111 quantitative reporters made national reports public, and 39 Members had public reports on the ANIMUSE portal by January 2025.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
No international programme measures veterinary drug residues in food. Residue monitoring is national (see country profiles). Codex CXG 71-2009 gives guidance for designing national residue control programmes.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
JECFA evaluations (ADI, recommended MRLs) are the scientific basis of Codex veterinary drug MRLs. WHO (2017) systematic reviews: where antimicrobial use in animals was restricted, AMR prevalence in animal bacteria was 10-20% lower and multidrug resistance 24-32% lower; in humans (13 studies meta-analysed) AMR prevalence was 24% lower in intervention groups. The 2026 WHO foodborne disease estimates did not include antimicrobial-resistant bacteria because of insufficient data.
E. How robust are the data?
ANIMUSE data are mostly sales and import data, not farm-level use. Coverage differs by region; participants and methods change between years. mg/kg biomass values are estimates; WOAH reports ranges. Country-level data are public only for Members that choose to publish.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Antimicrobial sales, animals (mg/kg biomass)
amu_mg_per_kg_biomass
WOAH ANIMUSE 9th report - trend panel
Global, 85 participants reporting 2020-2022 consistently, 62% of global animal biomass; mostly sales/import data. 2020 value: 102 mg/kg. n = number of participating countries/territories, not samples.
97 mg antimicrobial per kg estimated animal biomass202285mixedall foodsRS-INT-24
Antimicrobial sales, animals (mg/kg biomass)
amu_mg_per_kg_biomass
WOAH ANIMUSE 9th report - 2022 cross-section
Global range 89-93 mg/kg depending on coverage adjustment; 107 participants, 71% of global animal biomass; food-producing animals only. 'value' is the lower bound, 'value_upper' the upper bound.
89 mg antimicrobial per kg estimated animal biomass (range)2022107mixedall foodsRS-INT-24
Antimicrobial sales, animals (tonnes)
amu_tonnes
WOAH ANIMUSE 9th report
Reported total; WOAH's coverage-adjusted estimate is up to 74,035 t. n = participants.
70648 tonnes of antimicrobial agents (reported)2022107mixedall foodsRS-INT-24
Countries using growth promoters (share)
agp_use_members_pct
WOAH ANIMUSE 9th report
34 of 157 participants; self-reported legal/practice status, not measured use.
22 % of WOAH reporting Members still using antimicrobial growth promoters2022157mixedall foodsRS-INT-24

Notes on foods

  • Poultry: Codex/WHO texts apply to all food animals; WHO 2017 recommends no routine preventive use in healthy flocks.
  • Fish and seafood: WOAH 2022: aquatic food animals 21 mg/kg; fluoroquinolones were 15.8% of aquatic use (3.9 mg/kg). Codex RMR: malachite green and gentian violet should not be used.

Sources: RS-INT-08, RS-INT-10, RS-INT-11, RS-INT-17, RS-INT-18, RS-INT-19, RS-INT-20, RS-INT-24, RS-INT-35, RS-INT-29

Hormonal growth promoters – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: high Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. Codex (CXM 2-2024) treats several hormonal growth promoters as acceptable when used according to good practice: estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone in cattle have MRL 'unnecessary' (JECFA: residues from growth-promoter use are unlikely to pose a hazard). Numeric MRLs exist for trenbolone acetate (cattle muscle 2, liver 10 ug/kg), zeranol (muscle 2, liver 10 ug/kg) and melengestrol acetate (muscle 1, liver 10, kidney 2, fat 18 ug/kg). Beta-agonists: ractopamine MRLs for cattle and pigs (muscle 10, liver 40, kidney 90, fat 10 ug/kg; ADI 0-1 ug/kg bw) were adopted at CAC 35 in July 2012 by secret ballot, 69 votes to 67 with 7 abstentions, without consensus; China, Norway and the EU recorded opposition and the EU stated its ban would remain. Zilpaterol MRLs for cattle (kidney 3.3, liver 3.5, muscle 0.5 ug/kg) were adopted at CAC 46 (2023). Stilbenes (e.g. diethylstilbestrol): Codex RMR - no safe level, should not be used. Somatotropins: porcine somatotropin ADI/MRL 'not specified' (CAC 26, 2003). Draft MRLs for bovine somatotropin (bST/rbST, dairy) were 'held at Step 8' since 1999 according to the 2012 CAC report; CXM 2-2024 contains no bST MRL. Codex MRLs do not oblige any country to permit these substances. In the WTO EC-Hormones dispute (DS26), the Appellate Body (1998) found the EC import ban inconsistent with SPS Article 5.1 (risk assessment), but the ban remained part of EU law.
B. What is actually used in production?
Not documented internationally. Use of hormonal implants, beta-agonists and bST is authorised in some countries and banned in others (see country profiles).
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
No international residue monitoring. National programmes test for hormones and beta-agonists.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
JECFA evaluations underpin the Codex values (e.g. ractopamine ADI 0-1 ug/kg bw; estradiol-17beta ADI 0-0.05 ug/kg bw). At CAC 35 (2012) the EU delegation stated that EFSA had concluded the data were insufficient to propose ractopamine MRLs and that risks to human health had not been sufficiently ruled out. This profile records the positions; it does not resolve the scientific disagreement.
E. How robust are the data?
High for the legal status of Codex texts (primary documents). The scientific assessment differs between JECFA and some national authorities; the ractopamine standard was adopted by a narrow vote, not by consensus.

Notes on foods

  • Red meat: Codex values exist for hormonal growth promoters and ractopamine/zilpaterol in cattle (and ractopamine in pigs).
  • Dairy: No Codex MRL for bovine somatotropin (rbST) as of CXM 2-2024.
  • Poultry: Codex lists no hormonal growth promoter MRLs for poultry.

Sources: RS-INT-08, RS-INT-09, RS-INT-05, RS-INT-06, RS-INT-35

Contaminants (heavy metals, PFAS, PCBs, dioxins, nitrate) – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: moderate Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CXS 193-1995, last amended 2025) lists maximum levels for international trade. Examples (mg/kg): lead - milk 0.02, meat of cattle/pigs/sheep 0.1, poultry meat 0.1, fish 0.3, cereal grains 0.2, leafy vegetables 0.3, fruiting vegetables 0.05, infant formula 0.01; inorganic arsenic - husked rice 0.35, polished rice 0.2; methylmercury - tuna 1.2, shark 1.6, marlin 1.7, alfonsino 1.5, orange roughy 0.8, pink cusk-eel 1.0. CXS 193 contains no maximum levels for dioxins, PCBs or PFAS; Codex has a code of practice to reduce dioxins and PCBs in food and feed (CXC 62-2006) and to reduce lead (CXC 56-2004) and arsenic in rice (CXC 77-2017).
B. What is actually used in production?
Not applicable (contaminants are not intentionally used).
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
WHO GEMS/Food holds more than 9 million analytical results submitted by national institutions (records by region, e.g. WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region 15,064 in total, none added in the past year as of the access date). The data can be browsed online but are not representative surveys and are not summarised as national compliance rates.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
JECFA withdrew its tolerable weekly intakes for lead and inorganic arsenic in 2010 because they were no longer considered health-protective (lead: IQ and blood-pressure effects; inorganic arsenic: lung cancer BMDL). WHO 2026 foodborne disease estimates (data year 2021): chemical hazards accounted for 73% of foodborne deaths, mostly inorganic arsenic (42%) and lead (31%); inorganic arsenic and lead were among the leading causes of foodborne DALYs. PFAS were not included for lack of data. IARC classifies TCDD dioxin and PCB-126 in Group 1 (Volume 100F).
E. How robust are the data?
Codex MLs: high (primary text). Burden estimates: model-based with wide uncertainty intervals. GEMS/Food data: heterogeneous, non-representative.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Share of chemical causes in foodborne deaths
fbd_chemical_deaths_share_pct
WHO foodborne disease burden estimates, 2026 edition
Global model-based estimate (not a sampling result); 9 chemical hazards included; inorganic arsenic 42% and lead 31% of chemical-related deaths.
73 % of foodborne deaths due to chemical hazards2021–mixedall foodsRS-INT-29

Notes on foods

  • Fish and seafood: Codex methylmercury MLs apply to specific large predatory species; lead ML for fish 0.3 mg/kg.
  • Cereals and rice: Codex inorganic arsenic ML: polished rice 0.2 mg/kg, husked rice 0.35 mg/kg.
  • Dairy: Codex lead ML for milk 0.02 mg/kg.

Sources: RS-INT-12, RS-INT-41, RS-INT-21, RS-INT-22, RS-INT-29, RS-INT-31, RS-INT-33

Mycotoxins (mould toxins) – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: moderate Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. CXS 193-1995: aflatoxin M1 in milk 0.5 ug/kg. Total aflatoxins (ug/kg): almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts 10 (ready-to-eat) / 15 (for further processing); peanuts for further processing 15; dried figs 10; chili pepper and nutmeg 20; maize grain for further processing 15; maize flour/meal 10; husked rice 20; polished rice 5; sorghum for further processing 10; cereal-based foods for infants and young children 5. MLs also exist for deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin A and patulin. Codex codes of practice cover aflatoxin B1 in feed for dairy animals (CXC 45-1997), peanuts (CXC 55-2004), tree nuts (CXC 59-2005), cereals (CXC 51-2003), dried figs and spices.
B. What is actually used in production?
Not applicable.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
GEMS/Food holds about 1.09 million total-aflatoxin records and about 0.19 million aflatoxin B1 records (all regions, voluntarily submitted). No representative global prevalence figure exists.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
IARC classifies aflatoxins as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1; Monographs Volume 100F). JECFA (2001), cited in CXS 193: the additional liver-cancer risk predicted with aflatoxin M1 limits of 0.05 or 0.5 ug/kg is very small; hepatitis B carriers might benefit from lower aflatoxin intake. The 2026 WHO burden estimates excluded growth impairment from aflatoxin exposure.
E. How robust are the data?
Codex MLs: high. Occurrence data: not representative; strong regional and climatic variation.

Notes on foods

  • Dairy: Codex aflatoxin M1 ML 0.5 ug/kg in milk; national limits can be lower (see country profiles).
  • Legumes and nuts: Codex total aflatoxin MLs 10-15 ug/kg for tree nuts and peanuts depending on processing.
  • Cereals and rice: Codex total aflatoxin MLs for maize (15 / 10 ug/kg) and rice (20 husked / 5 polished).

Sources: RS-INT-12, RS-INT-41, RS-INT-21, RS-INT-33, RS-INT-29

Pathogens (Salmonella, Campylobacter, etc.) – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: moderate Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. Codex General Principles of Food Hygiene (CXC 1-1969, revised 2020 and 2022) set out good hygiene practice and HACCP. Specific codes and guidelines: Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken meat (CXG 78-2011, farm-to-consumption approach without numeric targets), eggs and egg products (CXC 15-1976, rev. 2007: Salmonella Enteritidis monitoring and vaccination may reduce risk where SE is associated with poultry or eggs), meat hygiene (CXC 58-2005), milk and milk products (CXC 57-2004), fresh fruits and vegetables (CXC 53-2003), Listeria monocytogenes (CXG 61-2007), STEC in beef, leafy vegetables, raw milk and sprouts (CXG 99-2023). JEMRA provides microbiological risk assessments.
B. What is actually used in production?
Not documented internationally; control programmes are national.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
No international prevalence monitoring of pathogens in food. WHO burden estimates (2026 edition, data year 2021, 42 hazards): 866 million illnesses (95% UI 680-1090 million), 1.52 million deaths (0.783-2.51 million), 57.1 million DALYs (39.4-81.1 million). Biological hazards caused about 860 million illnesses. Non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica, inorganic arsenic and lead caused the most DALYs. Children under 5 (9% of the population) had nearly one third of cases. The first WHO estimates (2015, data year 2010, 31 hazards) gave 33 million DALYs; WHO states the 2026 edition supersedes all earlier estimates. National estimates for every WHO Member State are available in the WHO Global Health Observatory.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Foodborne disease burden is highest in the African and South-East Asia regions (nearly three quarters of illnesses, 60% of deaths). WHO states many cases could be prevented by improved water, sanitation and hygiene, pasteurisation and access to health care.
E. How robust are the data?
Burden estimates are model-based (systematic reviews, meta-regression, expert elicitation for foodborne attribution) with wide uncertainty. They are not measured case counts and should not be ranked against national surveillance numbers. Many hazards (e.g. AMR bacteria) are not included.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Foodborne illnesses (million)
fbd_illnesses_million
WHO foodborne disease burden estimates, 2026 edition (FERG)
Global model-based estimate, 42 hazards; 95% UI 680-1090 million.
866 million foodborne illnesses per year2021–mixedall foodsRS-INT-31
Foodborne deaths (million)
fbd_deaths_million
WHO foodborne disease burden estimates, 2026 edition (FERG)
Global model-based estimate, 42 hazards; 95% UI 0.783-2.51 million.
1.52 million foodborne deaths per year2021–mixedall foodsRS-INT-31
Foodborne disease burden (DALYs, million)
fbd_dalys_million
WHO foodborne disease burden estimates, 2026 edition (FERG)
Global model-based estimate, 42 hazards; 95% UI 39.4-81.1 million.
57.1 million DALYs2021–mixedall foodsRS-INT-31
Foodborne disease burden (DALYs, million)
fbd_dalys_million
WHO FERG first estimates (2015)
31 hazards; superseded by the 2026 edition and not directly comparable (different hazard set and methods).
33 million DALYs2010–mixedall foodsRS-INT-27

Notes on foods

  • Poultry: Codex CXG 78-2011 targets Campylobacter and Salmonella in chicken meat; no numeric international targets.
  • Eggs: Codex CXC 15-1976 (rev. 2007) addresses Salmonella Enteritidis control incl. vaccination.
  • Fruit and vegetables: Codex CXC 53-2003 and CXG 99-2023 (STEC in leafy vegetables and sprouts).

Sources: RS-INT-41, RS-INT-14, RS-INT-15, RS-INT-16, RS-INT-04, RS-INT-27, RS-INT-28, RS-INT-29, RS-INT-30, RS-INT-31

Additives and processing – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: high Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. Codex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA, CXS 192-1995, revised up to 2026): only listed additives are recognised as suitable under the standard; an additive is considered only if JECFA has assigned an ADI (or found it safe on other criteria) and Codex has given it an INS number. Use levels are set per food category. Countries keep their own positive lists, which can be narrower or wider.
B. What is actually used in production?
Not documented internationally.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
No international monitoring of additive use levels; JECFA estimates intake when evaluating additives.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Aspartame (INS 951): IARC (2023) classified it as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B, limited evidence); JECFA (2023) kept the ADI of 0-40 mg/kg bw. IARC classifications describe strength of evidence for hazard, not the size of risk. Processed meat (a processing category, not an additive): IARC Group 1 (colorectal cancer; about 18% higher risk per 50 g eaten daily). Red meat: IARC Group 2A. These are listed here as international reference classifications; claim-level evidence is handled in the project's study files.
E. How robust are the data?
High for the legal reference (primary text). IARC and JECFA answer different questions (hazard vs risk at given intake).

Notes on foods

  • Red meat: IARC: processed meat Group 1, red meat Group 2A (2015, Monographs Vol. 114).

Sources: RS-INT-13, RS-INT-39, RS-INT-34, RS-INT-32, RS-INT-35

Animal husbandry and feed – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: low Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. Codex Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding (CXC 54-2004, amended 2024): antibiotics should not be used in feed for growth promotion without a public health safety assessment; animal products that could carry the BSE agent should not be fed to ruminants; undesirable substances (e.g. mycotoxins, contaminants) in feed should be identified and minimised; feed traceability and records. CXS 193 includes feed MLs only where transfer to food of animal origin is relevant. Aflatoxin B1 in feed for dairy animals is covered by CXC 45-1997. WOAH standards: the Terrestrial Code chapter 6.10 on responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials (cited in the ANIMUSE report). WOAH animal-welfare chapters on housing (e.g. cages) were not verified in this research.
B. What is actually used in production?
WOAH ANIMUSE (2022 data): 22% of reporting Members still allowed or used antimicrobial growth promoters; most reported were bacitracin, tylosin and avilamycin.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
Not documented internationally.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
See vet_drugs (antimicrobial resistance) and mycotoxins (aflatoxin M1 transfer from feed to milk).
E. How robust are the data?
Codex text: high. No international data on housing systems or feed compliance.

Notes on foods

  • Dairy: Aflatoxin B1 in dairy feed transfers to milk as aflatoxin M1 (CXC 45-1997; CXS 193).

Sources: RS-INT-17, RS-INT-12, RS-INT-24

Controls, imports, recalls, labelling – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: moderate Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. Codex texts are voluntary references. They become binding only when a country adopts them into national law. Under the WTO SPS Agreement, measures based on Codex are presumed consistent; stricter national rules are allowed if they are scientifically justified. National law decides what is allowed in a given country. Codex texts on food import and export inspection and certification (e.g. CXG 20-1995, CXG 26-1997, equivalence CXG 53-2003, traceability CXG 60-2006) guide national control systems. There is no international food inspection authority: official controls, recalls and border checks are national. INFOSAN (FAO/WHO) is a voluntary network of national food safety authorities from almost all FAO and WHO members; it shares information on incidents involving internationally traded food. WTO SPS Agreement: Codex standards are the benchmark for food-safety measures in trade disputes.
B. What is actually used in production?
Not applicable.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
INFOSAN does not publish per-country alert statistics comparable to RASFF. Not documented.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
Not applicable.
E. How robust are the data?
Codex and WTO texts: high. Implementation varies by country.

Sources: RS-INT-05, RS-INT-03, RS-INT-41, RS-INT-38, RS-INT-37

Drinking water – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO)

Data quality: high Last checked: 25 October 2026

A. What is legally allowed or banned?
International reference only. WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (4th edition incorporating the 1st and 2nd addenda, 2022) are a scientific starting point for national standards; WHO does not promote a single international standard. Selected guideline values: E. coli or thermotolerant coliforms not detectable in any 100 ml sample; arsenic 0.01 mg/l (provisional); lead 0.01 mg/l (provisional); cadmium 0.003 mg/l; nitrate 50 mg/l (as NO3-); nitrite 3 mg/l (as NO2-). WHO recommends water safety plans and independent surveillance. Codex CXC 48-2001 covers hygiene of bottled/packaged drinking water.
B. What is actually used in production?
WHO/UNICEF JMP defines 'safely managed' drinking water as water from an improved source that is accessible on premises, available when needed and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination. Global 2024: 73.7% of the population used safely managed drinking water (WHO GHO); JMP states 1 in 4 people (2.1 billion) still lack it, including 106 million drinking untreated surface water. Urban 83.5%, rural 60.5%.
C. Which residues or levels were measured?
JMP estimates combine household surveys, censuses and administrative or regulatory data; water quality testing is included in some household surveys (e.g. MICS). Country-level data are published at washdata.org/data and in the WHO Global Health Observatory.
D. Which health risks are demonstrated?
WHO (2026) states that many foodborne illnesses and deaths could be prevented with measures including improved water, sanitation and hygiene. GDWQ guideline values are health-based (e.g. nitrate 50 mg/l based on short-term effects).
E. How robust are the data?
JMP is the globally comparable reference (one definition for all countries). Estimates are modelled; the water-quality component is missing or estimated for many countries.
Indicators
IndicatorValueYearSamplesSampling designScopeSource
Safely managed drinking water (WHO/UNICEF)
water_safely_managed_pct
WHO/UNICEF JMP (via WHO GHO, indicator WSH_WATER_SAFELY_MANAGED)
Global modelled estimate (GHO value 73.735). World Bank WDI world aggregate: 73.67%. JMP text: '1 in 4 ... still lack access'.
73.7 % of population using safely managed drinking water2024–mixedall foodsRS-INT-26

Sources: RS-INT-23, RS-INT-41, RS-INT-25, RS-INT-26, RS-INT-40, RS-INT-29

Sources – International reference framework (Codex, WHO, FAO) (41)
  1. RS-INT-01: About Codex (Codex Alimentarius website) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission Secretariat (2026). https://codex.fao.org/about-codex/about-us (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  2. RS-INT-02: About Codex texts – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission Secretariat (2026). https://codex.fao.org/codex-texts/about-codex-texts (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  3. RS-INT-05: Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) – World Trade Organization (1994 (in force 1995)). https://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/15sps_01_e.htm (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  4. RS-INT-07: Codex Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed Database – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2026). https://codex.fao.org/codex-texts/codex-online-databases/pesticides-residues (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  5. RS-INT-36: Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) - WHO page – World Health Organization (2026). https://www.who.int/groups/joint-fao-who-meeting-on-pesticide-residues-(jmpr) (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  6. RS-INT-21: GEMS/Food - Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme (WHO web page) and GEMS/Food Contaminants database landing page – World Health Organization (2026). https://www.who.int/teams/nutrition-and-food-safety/databases/global-environment-monitoring-system-food-contamination (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  7. RS-INT-29: News release: Unsafe food causes 866 million illnesses and 1.5 million deaths annually, young children at highest risk (4 June 2026) – World Health Organization (2026). https://www.who.int/news/item/04-06-2026-unsafe-food-causes-866-million-illnesses-and-1.5-million-deaths-annually--young-children-at-highest-risk (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  8. RS-INT-08: CXM 2-2024 Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Risk Management Recommendations (RMRs) for Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2024). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/MRL2e.pdf?lang=en&id=41 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  9. RS-INT-10: CXC 61-2005 Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance (amended 2021) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2005, amended 2021). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXC_061e.pdf?lang=en&id=302 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  10. RS-INT-11: CXG 94-2021 Guidelines on integrated monitoring and surveillance of foodborne antimicrobial resistance; CXG 77-2011 Guidelines for Risk Analysis of Foodborne AMR (rev. 2021) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2021). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXG_94e.pdf?lang=en&id=8037 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  11. RS-INT-17: CXC 54-2004 Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding (amended 2008, 2024) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2004, amended 2024). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXC_054e.pdf?lang=en&id=414 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  12. RS-INT-18: CXG 71-2009 Guidelines for the Design and Implementation of National Regulatory Food Safety Assurance Programmes Associated with the Use of Veterinary Drugs in Food Producing Animals (rev. 2012, 2014) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2009, rev. 2014). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXG_071e_2014.pdf?lang=en&id=7006 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  13. RS-INT-19: WHO guidelines on use of medically important antimicrobials in food-producing animals – World Health Organization (2017). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550130 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  14. RS-INT-20: WHO List of Medically Important Antimicrobials: a risk management tool for mitigating antimicrobial resistance due to non-human use (WHO MIA List, 7th revision) – World Health Organization (2024). https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/gcp/who-mia-list-2024-lv.pdf?sfvrsn=3320dd3d_2 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  15. RS-INT-24: Annual Report on Antimicrobial Agents Intended for Use in Animals, 9th report (ANIMUSE) – World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) (2025). https://www.woah.org/app/uploads/2025/05/en-woah-amu-report-2025-final.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  16. RS-INT-35: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) - WHO page – World Health Organization (2026). https://www.who.int/groups/joint-fao-who-expert-committee-on-food-additives-(jecfa) (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  17. RS-INT-09: REP12/CAC Report of the 35th Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Rome, 2-7 July 2012 – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2012). https://www.fao.org/input/download/report/772/REP12_CACe.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  18. RS-INT-06: DS26: European Communities - Measures Concerning Meat and Meat Products (Hormones) - case summary – World Trade Organization (1996-2014). https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds26_e.htm (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  19. RS-INT-12: CXS 193-1995 General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (last amended 2025) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (1995, amended 2025). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXS_193e.pdf?lang=en&id=18 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  20. RS-INT-41: Codex 'Find a Codex text' list (LoadFilter endpoint behind codex.fao.org/codex-texts/find-a-codex-text) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2026). https://codex.fao.org/codex-texts/find-a-codex-text (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  21. RS-INT-22: GEMS/Food overview fact sheet 'Monitoring exposure to food chemicals' – World Health Organization (2017). https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/food-safety/gems-food/gems-overview-2017.pdf?sfvrsn=d33fae48_2 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  22. RS-INT-31: WHO estimates of the global, regional, and national burden of 42 foodborne infectious and chemical hazards, 2000-21: an updated data synthesis – Lake RJ, Devleesschauwer B, Majowicz S, et al. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.langlo.2026.103994 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  23. RS-INT-33: IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Chemical Agents and Related Occupations (A Review of Human Carcinogens) - publication page – International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2012). https://publications.iarc.who.int/123 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  24. RS-INT-14: CXC 1-1969 General Principles of Food Hygiene (revised 2020, 2022) – FAO and WHO / Codex Alimentarius Commission (1969, rev. 2022 (publ. 2023)). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXC_001e.pdf?lang=en&id=23 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  25. RS-INT-15: CXG 78-2011 Guidelines for the Control of Campylobacter and Salmonella in Chicken Meat – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2011). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXG_078e.pdf?lang=en&id=449 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  26. RS-INT-16: CXC 15-1976 Code of Hygienic Practice for Eggs and Egg Products (rev. 2007) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (1976, rev. 2007). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXC_015e.pdf?lang=en&id=355 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  27. RS-INT-04: Codex and science (FAO/WHO scientific advice bodies) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission Secretariat (2026). https://codex.fao.org/about-codex/about-us/science (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  28. RS-INT-27: World Health Organization Global Estimates and Regional Comparisons of the Burden of Foodborne Disease in 2010 – Havelaar AH, Kirk MD, Torgerson PR, et al. (WHO FERG) (2015). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001923 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  29. RS-INT-28: WHO estimates of the global burden of foodborne diseases: Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group 2007-2015 – World Health Organization (2015). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241565165 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  30. RS-INT-30: WHO estimates of the global burden of foodborne diseases 2000-2021 (2026 edition) - programme page – World Health Organization (2026). https://www.who.int/teams/nutrition-and-food-safety/monitoring-nutritional-status-and-food-safety-and-events/foodborne-disease-estimates/2026-edition (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  31. RS-INT-13: CXS 192-1995 General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA), revised up to 2026, and GSFA online database – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (1995, rev. 2026). https://codex.fao.org/restapi/searchstandard/CXS_192e.pdf?lang=en&id=353 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  32. RS-INT-39: Codex online databases (Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods; GSFA) – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (2026). https://codex.fao.org/codex-texts/codex-online-databases (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  33. RS-INT-34: News release: Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released (14 July 2023) – World Health Organization / IARC / JECFA (2023). https://www.who.int/news/item/14-07-2023-aspartame-hazard-and-risk-assessment-results-released (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  34. RS-INT-32: IARC Press Release No. 240: IARC Monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and processed meat (Monographs Vol. 114) – International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2015). https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr240_E.pdf (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  35. RS-INT-03: Codex and trade – FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission Secretariat (2026). https://codex.fao.org/about-codex/about-us/trade (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  36. RS-INT-38: International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) - FAO page – FAO and WHO (2026). https://www.fao.org/food-safety/emergencies/infosan/en (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  37. RS-INT-37: FAO Food safety and quality - programme page – Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2026). https://www.fao.org/food-safety/en/ (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  38. RS-INT-23: Guidelines for drinking-water quality: fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda – World Health Organization (2022). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240045064 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  39. RS-INT-25: JMP: Drinking water service ladder and 'Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene 2000-2024: special focus on inequalities' – WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) (2025). https://washdata.org/reports/jmp-2025-wash-households (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  40. RS-INT-26: WHO Global Health Observatory OData API - indicator WSH_WATER_SAFELY_MANAGED (global, total) – World Health Organization (data from WHO/UNICEF JMP) (2026). https://ghoapi.azureedge.net/api/WSH_WATER_SAFELY_MANAGED?$filter=SpatialDimType%20eq%20'GLOBAL' (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)
  41. RS-INT-40: World Bank WDI API - SH.H2O.SMDW.ZS, World aggregate – World Bank (source: WHO/UNICEF JMP) (2026). https://api.worldbank.org/v2/country/WLD/indicator/SH.H2O.SMDW.ZS?format=json&date=2015:2024 (checked, accessed 2026-10-25)

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