FORMOTHION JMPR 1972
Explanation
This pesticide was evaluated at the 1969 Joint Meeting (FAO/WHO,
1970).
At the Sixth Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues,
clarification was sought as to whether the tolerances recommended for
residues on strawberries and blackcurrants applied to the parent
formothion or to its metabolite, dimethoate. It is clear from the
information contained in the monograph that, apart from some minor
instances concerning the peel of citrus fruit, residues of formothion
itself are not detectable when a crop is examined at harvest after the
normal, recommended interval since application. At harvest the residue
from application of formothion comprises dimethoate together with
minor amounts of omethoate (dimethoxon).
The temporary tolerances on strawberries (0.3 ppm) and blackcurrants
(2 ppm) therefore apply to residues of dimethoate and omethoate
(expressed as dimethoate) arising from the use of formothion. It
should be noted that, effectively, the tolerances for residues of
dimethoate in tree fruit including citrus (2 ppm), tomatoes and
peppers (1 ppm) and other vegetables (2 ppm), also apply to residues
resulting from the usage of formothion on these crops.
No ADI has been established for the parent formothion because it was
recognized in 1969 that ..."...... if the residue at harvest is
dimethoate and its oxon, the information on dimethoate already on
record (FAO/WHO, 1968) should suffice."
APPRAISAL
RECOMMENDATIONS
TEMPORARY TOLERANCES
ppm
Strawberries 0.3
Blackcurrants 2
Remarks
Temporary tolerances apply to residues resulting from the use of
formothion, determined as dimethoate and omethoate and expressed as
dimethoate.
FURTHER WORK OR INFORMATION
None
REFERENCES
FAO/WHO (1970) 1969 evaluations of some pesticide residues in food.
FAO/PL/1969/M/17/1; WHO/Food Add./70.38.