Ingredient Index

Is Thiram banned in Europe?

Banned in EU

Yes: the EU refused to renew thiram in 2018 over dietary and bystander risk, and banned treated seed from early 2020. The US EPA still registers it, and it is used heavily as a seed and fruit fungicide, including on a large share of strawberries.

CAS: 137-26-8 Also seen as: Thiram, TMTD, Tetramethylthiuram disulfide

What the EU does

Not renewed. In October 2018 the European Commission declined to renew thiram, a long-used dithiocarbamate fungicide, and its approval lapsed. EFSA had flagged a dietary risk to consumers and a high risk to birds and mammals, and could not confirm safety for people living near treated fields.

Crucially, the EU went on to prohibit the use of thiram-treated seed as well, effective 31 January 2020, closing the common loophole where a banned pesticide keeps arriving on imported seed. That treated-seed ban is what gives this one real teeth.

Citation Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1500 (non-renewal of thiram); prohibition on placing on the market of thiram-treated seed from 31 Jan 2020; EFSA conclusion on the peer review of thiram

What the US does

Still registered. The US EPA continues to register thiram, mostly as a seed treatment and as a fungicide on fruit. It is applied to a large share of US strawberry acreage, and it is also used to protect stored seed and to repel wildlife from crops and ornamentals.

So a fungicide the EU dropped over dietary and wildlife risk, and specifically barred on treated seed, remains a routine tool in American agriculture, including on a berry that people eat fresh and unpeeled.

Citation US EPA registration of thiram (seed treatment and fungicide); registration review documents; use on strawberries and other crops

Products that commonly contain it

As a seed treatment and fungicide spray, thiram connects to:

Conventionally grown strawberries and other fruit
Crops grown from treated seed
Some vegetables and ornamentals
Imported produce grown where it is still permitted

What to look for on a label

You will not see it on a produce label, so the signals are indirect:

Certified-organic produce prohibits thiram
EU-market produce faces strict residue limits, and treated seed is barred
It is a growing-stage and seed treatment, not disclosed on the food

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Frequently asked questions

Is thiram banned in Europe?

Yes. The EU did not renew its approval in 2018 over dietary and wildlife risk, and it banned thiram-treated seed from 31 January 2020.

Is thiram still used in the US?

Yes. The US EPA still registers it as a seed treatment and fungicide, and it is used on a large share of US strawberry acreage.

How do I avoid it?

Certified-organic produce prohibits it, and EU-market produce faces the strict post-ban residue limits.

Related ingredients

Primary sources

Last reviewed August 17, 2026 · How we assign statuses