FSA Interested Parties Letter, 7 November 2006
The following is the background from the Consultation Paper. A copy of the full document is available on this site: Consultation Paper
Commission Regulation (EC) No 466./2001 of 8 March 2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs 1 , as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 123/2005 of 26 January 2005 2 , establishes maximum levels for, inter alia, Ochratoxin A in raw cereals grains, all products derived from cereals and dried vine fruit (currants, raisins and sultanas), roasted coffee, soluble coffee, wine, grape juice, baby foods, processed cereal based foods for infant and young children and dietary foods for special medical purposes intended specifically for infants.
The Regulation foresees that “ the Commission shall, based on an up-to-date risk assessment on ochratoxin A (OTA) performed by the EFSA and taking into account the prevention measures applied to reduce the OTA content, review the provisions as regards Ochratoxin A by 30 June 2006 at the latest. The review will concern in particular the maximum level for ochratoxin A in dried vine fruit and grape juice and the consideration of setting a maximum level for OTA in green coffee, died fruit other than dried vine fruit, beer, cocoa and cocoa products, liqueur wines, meat and meat products, spices and liquorice.”
The opinion of the Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain from EFSA related to Ochratoxin A in Food has been adopted on 4 April 2006 3 . In view of the abovementioned review, the Expert Committee “Agricultural Contaminants”, as working party of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, has considered the issue taking into account the conclusions of the EFSA opinion.