Pesticide residue variability--implications for Codex MRLs and world trade.

A number of developments have taken place in addressing consumer risk to pesticide residues. Progress is being made to harmonize an international database to allow short exposure assessments to be carried out on a routine basis and a number of initiatives have been arranged to support this process. Since Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted these proposals, they will become an integral part of the process for assessing and accepting Codex MRLs in the future.