One of the biggest pieces of news in potato storage — something we’ve worked for and waited for more than four years — was quietly announced via email on Dec. 3. I was just wrapping up for the day when our regulatory team forwarded the message to me. As I read it, I had to stop and let it sink in — excitement, relief and overall, a giant feeling of “Finally!”
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s Codex Alimentarius (AKA the ‘Food Code’, which provides the internationally recognized guidelines for food production) has officially approved the maximum residue level (MRL) for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene (1,4DMN). For anyone not familiar, Codex is an international body that meets once a year and to review and select a relatively small number of new products to add to their list of approved options. While Codex isn’t regulation — all countries have their own import tolerance levels — virtually all countries base their approval decisions on Codex recommendations.
1,4DMN is the active ingredient in 1,4SIGHT and 1,4SEED. It’s a naturally occurring compound that enhances potato dormancy, helping to manage sprouting while maintaining the field-fresh quality of stored potatoes. The Codex confirms that 1,4DMN is safe for use, with a maximum residue limit (MRL) set at 15 parts per million.
So, why does this matter to farmers? Codex approval is about more than science and regulation —it’s about trade. This global food safety standard makes it easier for countries to import and export potatoes treated with 1,4DMN. For growers, it means fewer barriers when selling internationally and more confidence that their crop meets stringent safety requirements.
Almost as exciting is the parallel approval of an import tolerance level MRL for Japan. Japan has long been a critical market for high-quality potatoes, and their acceptance of 1,4DMN aligns perfectly with Codex’s decision. Together, these approvals open doors to new markets and provide farmers with tools to extend storage times without compromising quality.
We knew the science behind 1,4SIGHT and 1,4SEED was solid, but getting through Codex’s regulatory maze was no small feat. I’m so proud to finally be able to share this news with growers worldwide. With Codex approval and Japan’s import tolerance MRL in place, growers now have more tools than ever to succeed in storage, and processors and exporters have more flexibility in moving potatoes globally. For all of us in the potato industry, that’s something to celebrate.
