Global food safety milestone: Codex Alimentarius confirms safety of 1,4-DMN for use on potatoes

Great news for potato producers: Codex Alimentarius, the “Food Code,” has confirmed the safety of 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene (1,4-DMN) for use on potatoes. 1,4-DMN is a naturally occurring biocontrol agent that enhances dormancy, controls sprouting, and maintains field-fresh quality in stored potatoes.

Rigorous Review Process Ensures Food Safety

The conclusion on the safe use of 1,4-DMN followed a thorough review by experts from the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) of the FAO and WHO. This evaluation was successively confirmed by the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) earlier in 2024. The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) officially adopted the Codex Maximum Residue Level (CXL) for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene at 15 mg/kg during their annual meeting on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, in Geneva.

How 1,4-DMN Enhances Potato Dormancy

Unlike traditional sprout suppressants, 1,4-DMN acts as a true dormancy enhancer by mimicking naturally occurring potato hormones. This action triggers the production of the potato tubers’ own dormancy-enhancing enzymes. Marketed as 1,4SIGHT® for processing and table potatoes and as 1,4SEED® for seed potatoes by DormFresh and 1,4GROUP, 1,4-DMN effectively manages sprouting and peeping from storage through shipping.

In addition to preventing sprouting, 1,4SIGHT® and 1,4SEED® reduce moisture loss and bruising, providing critical secondary benefits that maintain potato quality during storage and transport.

International Approvals and Regulatory Support

1,4-DMN is currently approved in several regions, including the European Union, Canada, and the United States. Both the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) in Canada and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States have approved 1,4-DMN through their bio-pesticide registration processes. Notably, both agencies classify 1,4-DMN as a substance that does not require an MRL.

Facilitating Global Trade for Potato Producers

“We are excited that 1,4-DMN has now been assigned a Codex MRL. Many companies will breathe easier knowing that it will be much simpler to ship potatoes treated with 1,4-DMN to foreign destinations,” said Jeanette VonKrosigk, 1,4GROUP’s Global Regulatory Affairs Director.

This newly adopted global food safety standard represents a significant step forward in fostering international trade. Achieving a CXL is critical for the full international acceptance of 1,4-DMN-treated potatoes and the processed products derived from them.

The Codex Alimentarius adoption of the 1,4-DMN MRL marks a pivotal advancement, ensuring food safety standards while opening new opportunities for global trade in the potato industry.