FAO/WHO: Recommended Threshold Values for Food Allergens
The report on the fifth meeting of the ad hoc FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Allergens was recently published. The report establishes maximum safe limits for Brazil nuts, macadamias and pine nuts, among other food products.
EU: Commission Expected to Renew Approval of Glyphosate for 10 Years
On November 16, 2023, the EU Member States failed to reach the required qualified majority to renew or reject the approval of glyphosate during a vote at the Appeal Committee. This follows a vote at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF) on October 13, in which Member States also failed to reach the required majority to renew or reject the proposal. In a statement, the European Commission said that it intended to “proceed with the renewal of the approval of glyphosate for a period of 10 years, subject to certain new conditions and restrictions,” including a prohibition of pre-harvest use as a desiccant and the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms.
EU: Committee Approves Methods of Sampling and Analysis for Mycotoxins
In a meeting on September 22, 2023, the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, Section Novel Food and Toxicological Safety, approved a draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the control of the levels of mycotoxins in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 401/2006.
EU: Non-Renewal of Approval of Triflusulfuron-Methyl
The European Commission published Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2513 of 16 November 2023 concerning the non-renewal of the approval of the active substance triflusulfuron-methyl, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011.
EU: Changes in Substances and Food Additives Authorized for Use in Organic Production
The European Commission published Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2229 of 25 October 2023 amending and correcting Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1165 authorizing certain products and substances for use in organic production and establishing their lists. The changes affect the following substances: chitosan, chitosan hydrochloride, ascorbic acid, lecithins, sodium tartrates, potassium tartrates and potassium sodium tartrate.
Türkiye: Food Codex Contaminants Regulation
The Turkish Food Codex Contaminants Regulation was published in Türkiye’s official gazette on November 5, 2023. This regulation establishes maximum limits for certain contaminants in food products and sets out the responsibilities of food business operators to determine, prevent, reduce and eliminate sources of risk.