17 December 1997: CONTAMINANTS - Mycotoxins - EC Action and Pistachio Nuts

Mycotoxins - EC Action and Pistachio Nuts

Whilst repealing the original Decision the Commission has now imposed special conditions on the import of pistachios and certain products derived from pistachios originating in, or consigned from Iran in order to ensure consumer protection. These conditions are as follows:

• Each consignment must be accompanied by an official certificate (as given in Annex I of the Decision) completed, signed and verified by a representative of the Iranian Ministry of Health.
• Consignments may only be imported into the Community through the designated points of entry listed in Annex 2 of the Decision. For the UK these are the ports already designated by the UK aflatoxin Regulations (SI 1992 No 3236)
• Each consignment must be identified by a code which corresponds to the code on the official certificate.
• The Competent Authorities shall ensure that pistachios imported from Iran have the required certificate and that each consignment is samples and analysed for aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins before release onto the market. The Commission shall be informed of the results of these analyses.

In the UK, the original Order banning the import of pistachio nuts and certain pistachio products originating or consigned from Iran (SI 1997 No 2238) made under Section 13 of the Food Safety Act will now be amended as soon as possible. However, until the Amendment Order is in place, the current ban remains in force.

The Commission Decision will be reviewed before 31 October 1998 to assess whether the special conditions imposed provide a sufficient level of health protection to public health. The review will also assess whether there is a continuing need for the special conditions.