EFSA: Risk Assessment of Glyphosate
Published on July 6, 2023, the assessment conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the impact of glyphosate on human health, animal health and the environment did not reveal any significant areas of concern. However, EFSA did identify some data gaps and outstanding issues that need to be addressed in the next stage of the renewal of approval process, as highlighted in their conclusions for the European Commission and Member States to consider.
While no critical areas of concern were identified, the data gaps and outstanding issues underscore the need for further examination and consideration during the approval renewal process.
EU: Alert and Cooperation Network 2022 Annual Report
The Alert and Cooperation Network 2022 Annual Report provides comprehensive coverage of all the information that was shared in 2022 through the iRASFF web portal. iRASFF incorporates three distinct networks: the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation network (AAC), and the Agrifood Fraud Network (FFN).
The RASFF network enables authorities to swiftly exchange crucial information concerning severe threats to human health related to food or feed, as well as significant risks to human or animal health and the environment associated with feed. The AAC network allows authorities to share information regarding violations of EU agrifood chain legislation that occur across borders but do not present an immediate health risk. Lastly, the FFN facilitates cooperation among authorities in dealing with cases of food fraud.
EU: Temporary Increase of Official Controls and Emergency Measures
The European Commission has released Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1110 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 on the temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures governing the entry into the Union of certain goods from certain third countries implementing Regulations (EU) 2017/625 and (EC) No 178/2002.
Measures for nuts and dried fruits:
| Product | Country | Reason | Measure |
| Groundnuts and products produced from groundnuts | Senegal | Aflatoxins | their entry in Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 should be deleted. |
| Groundnuts and products produced from groundnuts | Gambia and Sudan | Aflatoxins | transferred from Annex II to Annex I with a frequency of identity and physical checks set at 50 % of consignments |
| Unprocessed apricot kernels | Türkiye | Cyanide | transferred from Annex I to Annex II with a frequency of identity and physical checks set at 50 % of consignments |
| Dried apricots | Uzbekistan | Sulfites | Delisting from Annex I |
| Groundnuts and products produced from groundnuts | Egypt | Aflatoxins | Increase the frequency of identity and physical checks to be performed on those consignments entering the Union to 30 %. |
| Groundnuts | Bolivia | Aflatoxins | The wording ‘including mixtures’ should be added in the row referring to ‘groundnuts (peanuts), otherwise prepared or preserved’. Equally, in the column referring to ‘CN code’, the CN codes for mixtures should be added. |
| Pistachios and derived product | Origin USA, dispatched from Türkiye | Aflatoxins | included in point 3 of Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, with a frequency of identity and physical checks set at 50 % |
In addition, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 Article 1 is amended as follows: ‘(b) special conditions governing the entry into the Union of the following categories of consignments of food and feed due to the risk of contamination by mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, pesticide residues, pentachlorophenol and dioxins, microbiological contamination, Sudan dyes, Rhodamine B and plant toxins, in accordance with Article 53(1), point (b), of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002:
- consignments of food and feed of non-animal origin from third countries or parts of those third countries containing any of the food and feed listed in the table in point 1 of Annex II and falling within the CN codes and TARIC classifications laid down in that Annex;
- consignments of food consisting of two or more ingredients, containing any of the food listed in the table in point 1 of Annex II due to the risk of contamination by aflatoxins in a quantity above 20 % of either a single product or as the sum of those products and falling within the CN codes laid down in the table in point 2 of that Annex;
- consignments of food and feed of non-animal origin dispatched to the Union from a third country other than the country of origin and containing any of the food and feed listed in the table in point 3 of Annex II;’;
Transitional periods:
- Consignments of unprocessed apricot kernels from Türkiye intended to be placed on the market for the final consumer, which have been dispatched to the Union from Türkiye, or from another third country if that country is different from the country of origin, before the date of entry into force of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1110, may enter the Union until August 27, 2023 without being accompanied by the results of sampling and analyses and the official certificate provided.
- Consignments of pistachios and derived products originating in the United States, which have been dispatched to the Union from Türkiye before the date of entry into force of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1110, may enter the Union until August 27, 2023 without being accompanied by the results of sampling and analyses and the official certificate provided.
EU: MRLs Update
| Pesticide | Commodity | MRL (ppm) |
| Phosmet (1) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts | 0.01 | |
| (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-yn-1-yl acetate, (Z, Z, Z, Z)7,13,16,19-docosatetraen-1-yl isoburyrate, acrinathrin, azimsulfuron, famoxadone, methyl nonyl ketone, prochloraz and sodium hypochlorite (2) | Tree nuts | 0.01 |
| Peanuts | 0.01 | |
| Prochloraz (2) | Peanuts | 0.03 |
| Oxamyl (3) | Dates | 0.001 |
| Figs | 0.001 | |
| Fenoxycarb (4) | Tree nuts | 0.01 (mg/kg) |
| Etridiazole (5) | Tree nuts | |
| Peanuts | ||
| Difenacoum (5) | Tree nuts | |
| Peanuts | ||
| Potassium permanganate (5) | Tree nuts | |
| Peanuts | ||
| Indoxacarb (6) | Tree nuts | |
| Peanuts |
(1) It shall apply from September 15, 2023. More information
(2) Proposed date of adoption is January 19, 2024. Proposed date of publication is February 19, 2024. Proposed date of entry into force: is September 8, 2024. More information
(3) Proposed date of adoption is January 2024. Proposed date of publication is February 2024. More information
(4) Proposed date of adoption is January 2024. Proposed date of publication is March 2024. More information
(5) Proposed date of adoption is January 2024. Proposed date of publication is February 2024. More information
(6) Proposed date of adoption is January 2024. Proposed date of publication is February 2024. More information
FAO-WHO: Risk Assessment of Food Allergens
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have jointly published a report that summarizes the outcomes of the third meeting regarding allergens —a request from the Codex Alimentarius Commission. This meeting focused specifically on precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) and its implications.
The report highlights that while PAL, when based on a comprehensive allergen risk management program and implemented with a single clear advisory statement, is an effective measure to safeguard consumers against unintended allergens, its current usage remains voluntary. Moreover, it often lacks standardization within a formal risk assessment process. This has led to inconsistent and indiscriminate application of PAL, resulting in a multitude of different phrases being used and the inappropriate absence of PAL in some cases.
The findings of this report will provide support to the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) as it works on developing guidance for the appropriate use of PAL. The aim is to promote standardized practices that ensure consumers receive clear and accurate information regarding potential allergens in food products, thereby enhancing their safety and well-being.
USA: Pesticide Tolerances for Trifloxystrobin
This regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency establishes tolerances for residues of trifloxystrobin in or on multiple crops. This regulation is effective since June 20, 2023. Objections and requests for hearings must be received on or before August 21, 2023.
| Commodity | Parts per million (ppm) |
| Almond, hulls | 9 |
| Nut, tree, group 14–12 | 0.04 |
| Peanut, hay | 4 |
| Peanut | 0.05 |