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 Last update: May 14, 2009

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Contaminants in Foodstuffs

Maximum Levels

Commission Regulation 1881/2006, last amended by Commission Regulation 629/2008, establishes maximum levels for certain contaminants.  Table 1 gives an overview of the different contaminants to which the regulation applies.

Table 1: Commission Regulation 1881/2006 sets maximum levels for the following contaminants in foodstuffs:

- Nitrate in lettuce and spinach and infant food 
 

Section 2: Mycotoxins

- Aflatoxins in nuts, dried fruit, cereals, maize, spices, milk, infant food

"GUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR COMPETENT AUTHORITIES FOR THE CONTROL OF COMPLIANCE WITH EU LEGISLATION ON AFLATOXINS" (European Commission Guidance Document - March 2009) - Ochratoxin A in cereals, cereal products, dried vine fruit, infant food - Patulin in apple juice, apple juice ingredients, infant food - Deoxynivalenol in cereals, cereal products, infant food - Zearalenone in cereals, cereal products, infant food - Fumonisins in maize and maize based products - T-2 and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal products

Section 3: Heavy metals

- Heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury in meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, fungi, food supplements
- Tin in canned foods and beverages and baby foods
 

Section 4: 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD

- 3-MCPD in vegetable protein , soy sauce
 

Section 5: Dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs

- Dioxins in meat, fish, milk, eggs and oils & fats 

Section 7: PAH

- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) in oils and fats, infant foods, meat and fish 
 

Official Controls of Maximum Levels in Foodstuffs

The Directives in Table 2 concern the sampling methods and methods of analysis for the official controls of the levels of the different contaminants. Annex I describes the methods of sampling; Annex II concerns the sample preparation and the performance criteria for the methods of analysis.
 

Table 2: Sampling & Analysis Methods for Official Controls

Mycotoxins: Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A, Patulin and Fusarium toxins

 Commission Regulation 401/2006

Dioxins

 Commission Regulation 1883/2006

Remark: Action levels for Dioxins in Foodstuffs

Action levels for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs are set by Commission Recommendation 2006/88/EC as part of a pro-active approach to reduce the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food and feed. The action levels for dioxins and furans are generally set at around 2/3 of the new maximum levels and an investigation into the cause of the contamination is required if the action levels are exceeded.
 

Special EU Import Conditions for U.S. Almonds

Commission Decision 2007/563/EC sets special conditions for the import of U.S. almonds into the EU.  The Decision applies to almonds in shell or shelled, roasted almonds and mixtures of nuts or dried fruits containing almonds, and foodstuffs containing a significant amount of almonds (at least 10 percent).  Official Member States controls are carried out on approximately 5 percent of consignments of foodstuffs which are covered by the "Voluntary Aflatoxin Sampling Plan" (VASP) and to each consignment of foodstuffs not covered by the VASP.  More information is available on the Almond Board of California's website.
 

Contaminants in Feedstuffs

Maximum Levels

Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on undesirable substances in animal feed lists maximum levels for a wide range of contaminants including environmental contaminants such as heavy metals, mycotoxins, botanical impurities and other undesirable substances. 
 

Remark: Action levels for Dioxins in Feedingstuffs

Directive 2006/13/EC also includes action levels for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. If the action levels are exceeded, measures will be taken to find and eliminate the source of contamination.