Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has defended its decision to increase the maximum residue limit (MRL) for the pesticide fenpropathrin in apples from 0.5 parts per million (ppm) to 3 ppm, saying the revision was based on scientific evaluation and domestic demand.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang said the new limit is in line with standards in other markets, where the allowable residue level is 2 ppm in Japan, 3 ppm in South Korea, and 5 ppm in the United States.

Shih rejected claims that the change resulted from U.S. pressure or trade negotiations under the Taiwan-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART). He said the revision followed expert reviews of applications submitted by farmers and businesses.

The revised MRLs, announced in April, cover 174 items, including 120 domestic products and 54 imported products. According to Shih, the application to revise the fenpropathrin limit for apples was submitted in 2022. Previously, apples were regulated under the broader pome fruit category and did not have a separate residue standard.

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen criticized the decision, saying the previous 0.5 ppm limit had been in place for many years and had ensured food safety.

Lu said she “strongly opposed” the ministry’s “unilateral” decision to raise the limit sixfold and suggested the change was made under outside pressure. She called on the ministry to retain the existing 0.5 ppm standard or explain the reasons for the revision.