Food Law News - EU - 1996
15 July 1996: CONTAMINANTS - Mycotoxins - EC Permitted Levels
MAFF Letter, 15 July 1996
Mycotoxins - EC Permitted Levels
The Commission held a further meeting on mycotoxins on 12 July 1996 (See earlier item 3 June 1996). It now seems likely that the Commission will only press ahead at this stage with limits for aflatoxins and not including ochratoxin A and patulin. These last two may be subject to a further Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) review before regulatory action is again considered.
The Commission is still considering levels based on "ideal sampling and optimal methods of analysis", to be agreed at a later date, which caused the UK delegation some concern that values were being discussed in isolation from these issues.
Aflatoxin levels (in micrograms per kg) are now being proposed in the working document for:
- Groundnuts shelled and peeled (may be redrafted to simply "groundnuts") with sub-divisions. Proposed levels are B1 - 5, B1/B2/G1/G2 - 10 where further treatment will take place and B1 - 2, B1/B2/G1/G2 - 4 when prepared for consumption.
- Nuts (including coconut); pistachios; dried fruit (figs, plums, apricots) intended for consumption without modification. Proposed levels are B1 - 2, B1/B2/G1/G2 - 4.
- Cereals (including maize) (may be redrafted to be "(including buckwheat)"). Proposed levels are B1 - 2, B1/B2/G1/G2 - 4
- Milk. Proposed level is M1 - 0.05.
It is also likely that spices may be added following a German proposal.
The next meeting might be in September with a formal proposal for Regulation "some time later".
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