Germany: Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons

The German Federation of Food Law and Food Science introduced a “Toolbox for Preventing the Transfer of Undesired Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons into Food.”

EU: Plastic Materials

The European Commission notified the World Trade Organization of the draft Commission Regulation amending Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

EFSA: Fenbuconazole, MRLs Review

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the Reasoned Opinion on “Review of the existing maximum residue levels for fenbuconazole according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005”.

China, Taiwan: MRLs Update

The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu notified the World Trade Organization of the Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods.

China: Additional Tariffs

According to a USDA GAIN Report, on September 24, 2018, China applied 5% to 10% extra tariffs on US products including peanuts (in-shell and shelled), roasted peanuts and peanut butter in response of the US additional 10% tariffs on Chinese technology and consumer products.

Canada: MRLs Update

Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency announced the following proposed maximum residue limits (PMRL) for afidopyropen and picoxystrobin.

Brazil: Microbiological Criteria on Foods

The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency notified the World Trade Organization of the Normative Instruction (Instrução Normativa) number 542, 17 July 2018, which establishes the lists of microbiological criteria for food safety and hygiene.