Oct 21, 2026 - Foods
Pest control products: EU changes lead to more restrictions in food establishments
Pest control products: EU developments lead to more restrictions in food businesses
EU regulations are often feared and are sometimes perceived by many business operators as too complicated, unnecessary, or intrusive. Just think of the regulatory basis for food safety culture.
In the area of Pest Control (PC), the following changes apply
- The importance of preventive measures is increasing
- Continuous baiting with rodenticides is prohibited from 1 July 2026, therefore a higher probability of infestation must be factored in*
- Sensor-based monitoring as part of an integrated so-called PC management concept is sensible and timely
- Snap traps are no longer considered a "preventive element", but only within the narrowly defined scope of targeted control
IMPORTANT: According to the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) in Dortmund, infestation-independent continuous baiting is prohibited, i.e. the use of poison baits for prevention is not permitted.
Food businesses should pay particular attention to pest control. By the way: we are aware of the recent phosphine issue. Within the Tentamus group we test for a wide range of pesticides and are also equipped for phosphine analysis.
Contact us. Our customer advisors will be happy to assist you.
Sources:
- Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2012 concerning the making available on the market and use of biocidal products, last accessed on 29 September 2026
- https://www.bav-institut.de/de/news/schaedlingsbekaempfungsmittel-in-getrockneten-lebensmitteln-haeufiger-nachweisbar-als-erwartet
- https://www.cvuas.de/pub/beitrag.asp?subid=1&Thema_ID=5&ID=4452&lang=DE&Pdf=No
- https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/chemikalien/biozide/biozidprodukte/rodentizide