China: Import Regulations and Standards
This report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) presents regulations and standards applicable to food and agricultural imports in China, including changes to existing standards.
According to the report, in 2021 China released numerous regulations and standards, including the revised Administrative Measures on Import and Export Food Safety, revised regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Producers of Imported Food, regulations overseeing variety registration of major crops and the safety assessment of agriculture GMOs, and the full text of the National Food Safety Standard of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Food (GB 2763-2021).
Peanuts and tree nuts are included among these regulations, such as in the National Food Safety Standard – Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Food.
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According to the report, in 2021 China released numerous regulations and standards, including the revised Administrative Measures on Import and Export Food Safety, revised regulations on the Registration and Administration of Overseas Producers of Imported Food, regulations overseeing variety registration of major crops and the safety assessment of agriculture GMOs, and the full text of the National Food Safety Standard of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Food (GB 2763-2021).
Peanuts and tree nuts are included among these regulations, such as in the National Food Safety Standard – Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Food.
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EU: Recommendation on Monitoring the Presence of Alternaria Toxins in Food
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) recently published a scientific report on the assessment of the genotoxicity of acrylamide. Several new studies reported positive results on the clastogenic and mutagenic properties of acrylamide (AA) and its active metabolite glycidamide (GA). DNA adducts of GA were induced by AA exposure in experimental animals and have also been observed in humans. In addition to the genotoxicity of AA, there is evidence for both secondary DNA oxidation via the generation of reactive oxygen species and for non-genotoxic effects which may contribute to carcinogenesis by AA.
These studies extend the information assessed by the CONTAM Panel in its 2015 Opinion and support its conclusions. That Opinion applied the margin of exposure (MOE) approach, as recommended in the EFSA Guidance for substances that are both genotoxic and carcinogenic, for risk characterization of the neoplastic effects of AA. Based on the new data evaluated, the MOE approach is still considered appropriate, and an update of the 2015 Opinion is not required.
For this reason, the European Commission has recommended that a monitoring of Alternaria toxins, alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid in foods, particularly in nuts and dried figs, among other products, should be carried out by food business operators.
These studies extend the information assessed by the CONTAM Panel in its 2015 Opinion and support its conclusions. That Opinion applied the margin of exposure (MOE) approach, as recommended in the EFSA Guidance for substances that are both genotoxic and carcinogenic, for risk characterization of the neoplastic effects of AA. Based on the new data evaluated, the MOE approach is still considered appropriate, and an update of the 2015 Opinion is not required.
For this reason, the European Commission has recommended that a monitoring of Alternaria toxins, alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid in foods, particularly in nuts and dried figs, among other products, should be carried out by food business operators.
| Food | Tenuazonic acid (TeA) (μg/kg) |
| Tree nuts | 100 |
| Dried figs | 1000 |
EU: EFSA Technical Report on the Placing of Pili Nuts on the EU Market
The European Commission received a notification under Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 to place on the market nuts of Canarium ovatum Engl. as a traditional food from a third country (TF). In line with Article 15(2) of that Regulation, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) was asked by the European Commission whether there are duly reasoned safety objections to the placing on the market of the TF within the European Union.
The TF is proposed to be marketed in the European Union as such, dried and with shells that must be removed before consumption. EFSA considers that the available data on composition and history of use of the TF do not raise safety concerns. Considering the available data, EFSA does not raise safety objections to the placing on the market of the nuts of Canarium ovatum Engl. within the EU.
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The TF is proposed to be marketed in the European Union as such, dried and with shells that must be removed before consumption. EFSA considers that the available data on composition and history of use of the TF do not raise safety concerns. Considering the available data, EFSA does not raise safety objections to the placing on the market of the nuts of Canarium ovatum Engl. within the EU.
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EU: Draft Regulation to Prevent Anoplophora Chinensis
On May 18, 2022, the EU notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on its new draft regulation on establishing measures to prevent the introduction into, establishment and spread within the Union territory of Anoplophora chinensis (Forster) and repealing Decision 2012/138/EU.
Products covered: Plants for planting, that have a stem or root collar diameter of 1 cm or more at their thickest point, of Acer spp., Aesculus hippocastanum, Alnus spp., Betula spp., Carpinus spp., Citrus spp., Cornus spp., Corylus spp., Cotoneaster spp., Crataegus spp., Fagus spp., Lagerstroemia spp., Malus spp., Melia spp., Ostrya spp., Photinia spp., Platanus spp., Populus spp., Prunus laurocerasus, Pyrus spp., Rosa spp., Salix spp., Ulmus spp. and Vaccinium corymbosum.
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Products covered: Plants for planting, that have a stem or root collar diameter of 1 cm or more at their thickest point, of Acer spp., Aesculus hippocastanum, Alnus spp., Betula spp., Carpinus spp., Citrus spp., Cornus spp., Corylus spp., Cotoneaster spp., Crataegus spp., Fagus spp., Lagerstroemia spp., Malus spp., Melia spp., Ostrya spp., Photinia spp., Platanus spp., Populus spp., Prunus laurocerasus, Pyrus spp., Rosa spp., Salix spp., Ulmus spp. and Vaccinium corymbosum.
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UK: Proposed Changes to Import Checks
Food agencies in the United Kingdom are analyzing changing the rate of checks on certain products being imported into the region. The Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for England and Wales are undertaking comment periods to cover high risk food and feed of non-animal origin.
Commodities removed from controls:
Commodities removed from controls:
| Commodity | Country | Hazard | Risk Management recommendation |
| Dried grapes (Food) 0806 20 | Turkey | Ochratoxin A | Annex I – Delist |
| Pistachios (Food and Feed) 0802 51 00, 0802 52 00 ex 2008 19 13, ex 2008 19 93 | USA | Aflatoxins | Annex I – Delist |
Commodities subject to reduced checks:
| Commodity | Country | Hazard | Risk Management recommendation |
| Groundnuts (Food and Feed) 1202 41 00, 1202 42 00, 2008 11 10, 2008 11 91; 2008 11 96; 2008 11 98, 2305 00 00, ex 1208 90 00 20 | Brazil | Aflatoxins | Move from Annex II to Annex I at 10% identity and physical checks |
| Groundnuts (Food and Feed) 1202 41 00, 1202 42 00, 2008 11 10, 2008 11 91; 2008 11 96; 2008 11 98, 2305 00 00, ex 1208 90 00 20 | China | Aflatoxins | Move from Annex II to Annex I -decrease from 20% to 10% identity and physical checks |
| Hazelnuts (Food and Feed) 0802 21 00, 0802 22 00, ex 0813 50 39 70, ex 0813 50 91 70, ex 0813 50 99 70, ex 2007 10 10 70, ex 2007 10 99 40, ex 2007 99 39 05;06, ex 2007 99 50 33, ex 2007 99 97 23, ex 2008 19 12 15, ex 2008 97 14 15, ex 2008 97 16 15, ex 2008 97 18 15, ex 2008 97 32 15, ex 2008 97 34 15, ex 2008 97 36 15, ex 2008 97 38 15, ex 2008 97 51 15, ex 2008 97 59 15, ex 2008 97 72 15, ex 2008 97 74 15, ex 2008 97 76 15, ex 2008 97 78 15, ex 2008 97 92 15, ex 2008 97 93 15, ex 2008 97 94 15, ex 2008 97 96 15, ex 2008 97 97 15, ex 2008 97 98 15, ex 2008 19 12 30, ex 2008 19 19 30, ex 2008 19 92 30, ex 2008 19 95 20, ex 2008 19 99 30, ex 1106 30 90 40, ex 1515 90 99 20 | Turkey | Aflatoxins | Move from Annex II to Annex I at 5% identity and physical checks |
Commodities subject to increased enhanced controls:
| Commodity | Country | Hazard | Risk Management recommendation |
| Groundnuts (Food and Feed) 1202 41 00, 1202 42 00, 2008 11 10, 2008 11 91, 2008 11 96, 2008 11 98, 2305 00 00, ex 1208 90 00 20 | India | Aflatoxins | Annex II – Increase from 10% to 50% identity and physical checks |
| Groundnuts (Food and Feed) 1202 41 00, 1202 42 00 2008 11 10, 2008 11 91 2008 11 96, 2008 11 98 ex 1208 90 00 20, 2305 00 00 | USA | Aflatoxins | Annex I -Increase from 10% to 20% identity and physical checks |
New products requiring enhanced controls:
| Commodity | Country | Hazard | Risk Management recommendation |
|
Groundnuts (Food and Feed)
1202 41 00, 1202 42 00, 2008 11 10, 2008 11 91; 2008 11 96; 2008 11 98, 2305 00 00, ex 1208 90 00 20
|
Brazil | Pesticide residues | Add to Annex I at 20% identity and physical checks |
Deadline for FSA comment period is July 7 while the FSS call for input ends on June 29. It is open to food and feed businesses, local and port health authorities, and other stakeholders with an interest in food safety.
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Tanzania: Raw Walnut Kernels Specifications
This Standard specifies requirements, methods of sampling and testing for raw walnut kernels obtained from walnut tree (Juglans regia L.) intended for human consumption or to be used in the food industry. It lays down specifications aiming at ensuring the safety and quality of raw walnut kernels produced or traded in and outside Tanzania for human consumption.
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