Here is a brief summary of the feedback on the discussions held on some contaminants:
- Feedback on topics discussed in recent meetings of the Working Groups on contaminants (A.08). The Committee was informed on the ongoing work on several issues such as:
- Alternaria toxins: a monitoring recommendation for alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid (tentoxin) is in preparation in combination with guideline levels for specified foods.
- Perchlorate: the draft provisions following the consideration of comments from stakeholders were presented.
- Amendments to the Regulations (EC) No 669/2009 and (EU) No 884/2014 (B.10). The results of the official controls show a continuous high frequency of non-compliance with maximum levels of aflatoxins. Although the vote was postponed, the following was discussed:
- The Committee was informed that the imposing of special conditions following further examination of the control data shall be limited to groundnuts from Gambia and Sudan and not to groundnuts from Bolivia, Madagascar and Senegal.
- Given the high level of non-compliance, it is foreseen to increase the frequency of identity and physical checks of aflatoxin in dried figs from Turkey from 10 to 20 %.
- It is foreseen to exclude from the scope trade samples or display items for exhibitions, which are not intended to be placed on the market or are sent to be used for scientific purposes.