insecticide

An insecticide is a type of pesticide. Pesticides are a broad category of substances used to control pests, which can include insects, weeds, fungi, or other organisms. Insecticides specifically target insects. Their use is carefully regulated because residues can remain on food, and exposure to humans or animals can pose health risks.

EFSA assesses the risks linked to the use of insecticides for human health, animals, and the environment, providing independent advice to the European Commission and Member States to help them make regulatory decisions on approval, use, and setting limits for residues in food. EFSA conducts peer reviews of active substances used in pesticides, develops guidance for risk assessments (e.g., risks for bees, for workers), and monitors pesticide residue levels in food across the EU to ensure safety standards.