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:

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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