EU: Expiry Date of Magnesium Phosphide and Aluminum Phosphide Postponed
The European Commission has published Regulation (EU) 2025/2284, postponing the expiry date of the approval of magnesium phosphide releasing phosphine for use in biocidal products of product-type 18, and Regulation (EU) 2025/2279, postponing the expiry date of the approval of aluminum phosphide releasing phosphine for use in biocidal products of product-types 14, 18 and 20. Consequently, the expiry date of the authorization of these products as biocides is has been pushed back from January 31, 2026, to July 31, 2027.
EU: EFSA Publishes Updated Assessment of Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites
Last year, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was ordered by the European Commission to evaluate the impact of reducing the maximum levels of sulfur dioxide and sulfites on dietary exposure. EFSA was asked to estimate exposure under two scenarios, in which the maximum permitted levels of sulfur dioxide and sulfites in dried apricots were as follows:
- Scenario 1: maximum permitted level 2,000 mg/kg
- Scenario 2: maximum permitted level 1,500 mg/kg
On November 19, EFSA published its updated assessment. Overall, the two scenarios produced very similar results, with only slightly lower exposure values in Scenario 2.
For adults and the elderly, the most significant categories contributing to dietary exposure were wine, beer, and meat preparations. Among adolescents and other children, fruit and vegetable juices as well as flavored drinks emerged as major contributors. For toddlers and infants, dried fruits and vegetables and fruit and vegetable juices were identified among the primary sources of exposure, with a heterogeneous contributor pattern reflecting national variations of the diets.
According to FRUCOM, discussions will now continue between Members States based on the EFSA conclusion.
EU: EFSA Draft Opinion on Alternaria Toxins Expected in Spring 2026
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) gathers data on Alternaria toxins in foodstuffs including tree nuts and dried figs via its annual call for continuous collection of chemical contaminants occurrence data in food and feed (see 2025 call here).
According to FRUCOM, a draft EFSA opinion on Alternaria toxins is expected to be published in spring 2026 and will be open for public consultation. The deadline for publication of the assessment is September 30, 2026.