Commission Regulation (EU) No 420/2011 of 29 April 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance)

EUROPEISKA KOMMISSIONEN HAR ANTAGIT DENNA FÖRORDNING

med beaktande av fördraget om Europeiska unionens funktionssätt,

med beaktande av rådets förordning (EEG) nr 315/93 av den 8 februari 1993 om fastställande av gemenskapsförfaranden för främmande ämnen i livsmedel, särskilt artikel 2.3, och

(1) I kommissionens förordning (EG) nr 1881/2006 av den 19 december 2006 om fastställande av gränsvärden för vissa främmande ämnen i livsmedel fastställs gränsvärden för främmande ämnen i en rad livsmedel.

(2) Med hänsyn till de olika tolkningarna när det gäller vilken del av krabbor som ska analyseras för jämförelse med gränsvärdet för kadmium bör det följaktligen klargöras att det gränsvärde för kadmium i skaldjur som fastställs i bilagan till förordning (EG) nr 1881/2006 gäller muskelkött från bihang (ben och klor) och mage. För krabbor och liknande skaldjur gäller gränsvärdet endast bihangen. Denna definition utesluter andra delar av skaldjur, t.ex. ryggskölden på krabbor och oätliga delar (skal, svans). Ryggskölden omfattar matsmältningsorganen (hepatopancreas) som man vet innehåller höga halter av kadmium. Eftersom konsumenterna i vissa medlemsstater regelbundet kan äta delar av ryggskölden kan det på medlemsstatsnivå vara lämpligt med konsumentråd om att begränsa intaget av dessa delar för att minska exponeringen för kadmium. Ett meddelande om detta har lagts ut på Europeiska kommissionens webbplats för generaldirektoratet för hälso- och konsumentfrågor.

(3) Av konsekvensskäl bör de delar av skaldjur som gränsvärdet gäller ändras i enlighet med detta för andra främmande ämnen (bly, kvicksilver, dioxiner och PCB samt polycykliska aromatiska kolväten).

(4) I musslor, t.ex. grönmusslor och ostron, liksom i alger kan det ske en anrikning av kadmium. Eftersom pulver av grönmussla, ostron och torkade alger säljs som kosttillskott bör gränsvärdet för kadmium i torkade musslor vara detsamma som det gällande gränsvärdet för torkade alger och produkter som framställts av alger.

(5) Bestämmelserna för bladbildande kål bör anpassas till bestämmelserna för andra bladgrönsaker. Bladbildande kål bör därför inte omfattas av det standardiserade gränsvärdet i punkt 3.2.15 för kadmium i grönsaker och frukt utan i stället införas i punkt 3.2.17.

(6) De standardiserade gränsvärdena för bly och kadmium i frukt och grönsaker är inte realistiska för alger, som naturligt kan innehålla högre halter. Alger bör därför medges undantag från de standardiserade gränsvärdena för bly och kadmium i frukt och grönsaker (punkterna 3.1.10 och 3.2.15). Fler uppgifter om förekomsten bör samlas in för att man ska kunna avgöra om det behövs särskilda, mer realistiska gränsvärden för bly och kadmium i alger.

(7) Namnen på livsmedel/produktgrupper i förordning (EG) nr 1881/2006 överensstämmer inte alltid med namnen på livsmedel/produktgrupper i Europaparlamentets och rådets förordning (EG) nr 396/2005 av den 23 februari 2005 om gränsvärden för bekämpningsmedelsrester i eller på livsmedel och foder av vegetabiliskt och animaliskt ursprung och om ändring av rådets direktiv 91/414/EEG. Eftersom det i förordning (EG) nr 1881/2006 hänvisas till de produktgrupper som förtecknas i förordning (EG) nr 396/2005 bör dessa namn anpassas till den förordningen.

(8) Bestämmelserna om övervakning och rapportering bör uppdateras med hänsyn till de nya övervakningsrekommendationerna avseende etylkarbamat, perfluorerade alkylsulfonater och akrylamid. Eftersom kommissionens beslut 2006/504/EG har upphävts och ersatts av kommissionens förordning (EG) nr 1152/2009 bör hänvisningen till beslut 2006/504/EG ersättas med en hänvisning till förordning (EG) nr 1152/2009. Dessutom bör det klargöras vilka uppgifter som ska rapporteras till kommissionen och vilka som ska rapporteras till Efsa.

(9) De åtgärder som föreskrivs i denna förordning är förenliga med yttrandet från ständiga kommittén för livsmedelskedjan och djurhälsa, och varken Europaparlamentet eller rådet har motsatt sig dem.

HÄRIGENOM FÖRESKRIVS FÖLJANDE.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in food, and in particular Article 2(3) thereof,

(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs sets maximum levels for contaminants in a range of foodstuffs.

(2) Taking into account the different interpretations with regard to the portion of crabs to be analysed for comparison with the maximum level for cadmium, it should therefore be clarified that the maximum level set for cadmium in crustaceans in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 applies to muscle meat from appendages (legs and claws) and abdomen. For crabs and crab-like crustaceans, the maximum level applies to the appendages only. This definition excludes other parts of crustaceans, such as the cephalothorax of crabs and inedible parts (shell, tail). The cephalothorax comprises the digestive organs (hepatopancreas) which are known to contain high levels of cadmium. As in some Member States consumers may eat parts of the cephalothorax on a regular basis, consumer advice at a Member State level to limit consumption of these parts may be appropriate to reduce exposure to cadmium. An Information Note on this issue has been made available on the website of the Health and Consumers Directorate General of the European Commission.

(3) For reasons of consistency the portion of crustaceans to which the maximum levels apply should be modified for other contaminants (lead, mercury, dioxins and PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) accordingly.

(4) Bivalve molluscs such as green shell mussels and oysters can accumulate cadmium similarly to seaweed. Since green shell mussel powder and oyster powder, like dried seaweed, are sold as food supplements, the maximum level for cadmium in dried bivalve mollusc should be the same as the one currently established for dried seaweed and products derived from seaweed.

(5) The provisions for leafy brassica should be aligned with those of other leaf vegetables. Leafy brassica should therefore be excluded from the default maximum level for cadmium in ‘vegetables and fruit’ in point 3.2.15 and should be included in point 3.2.17.

(6) The default maximum levels for lead and cadmium in fruit and vegetables are not realistic for seaweed, which can naturally contain higher levels. Seaweed should therefore be exempted from the default maximum levels for lead and cadmium in fruit and vegetables (points 3.1.10 and 3.2.15). More occurrence data should be collected to decide about the need for specific more realistic maximum levels for lead and cadmium in seaweed.

(7) Some inconsistencies exist with regard to the names of the foodstuffs/product groups in Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and the names of the foodstuffs/product groups listed in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC. Since Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 refers to the product groups listed in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 these names should be aligned to that Regulation.

(8) It is appropriate to update the provisions on monitoring and reporting taking into account recent monitoring recommendations on ethylcarbamate, perfluoroalkylated substances, and acrylamide. Since Commission Decision 2006/504/EC has been repealed and replaced by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1152/2009, the reference to Decision 2006/504/EC should be replaced by a reference to Regulation (EC) No 1152/2009. Furthermore, it should be clarified which data is reported to the Commission and which to EFSA.

(9) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health and neither the European Parliament nor the Council have opposed them,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article1¶

Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 is amended as follows:

1. Article 9 is amended as follows:

a) paragraphs 2 and 3 are replaced by the following:

‘2. Member States and interested parties shall communicate each year to the Commission the results of investigations undertaken and the progress with regard to the application of prevention measures to avoid contamination by ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisin B1 and B2, T-2 and HT-2 toxin. The Commission shall make the results available to the Member States. The related occurrence data shall be reported to EFSA.

3. Member States shall report to the Commission findings on aflatoxins obtained in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 1152/2009. Member States should report to EFSA findings on furan, ethylcarbamate, perfluoroalkylated substances and acrylamide obtained in accordance with Commission Recommendations 2007/196/EC, 2010/133/EU, 2010/161/EU and 2010/307/EU.

b) the following paragraph 4 is added:

‘4. Occurrence data on contaminants collected by Member States should, if appropriate, also be reported to EFSA.’;

2. the Annex is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article2¶

This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

ANNEX

The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 is amended as follows:

1) In Section 3.1 on lead, points 3.1.6, 3.1.9, 3.1.10 and 3.1.11 are replaced by the following:

Foodstuffs (1) | Maximum levels (mg/kg wet weight)

‘3.1.6 | Crustaceans (26): muscle meat from appendages and abdomen (44). In case of crabs and crab-like crustaceans (Brachyura and Anomura) muscle meat from appendages. | 0,50’

‘3.1.9 | Legume vegetables (27), cereals and pulses | 0,20’

‘3.1.10 | Vegetables, excluding brassica vegetables, leaf vegetables, fresh herbs, fungi and seaweed (27). For potatoes the maximum level applies to peeled potatoes. | 0,10’

‘3.1.11 | Brassica vegetables, leaf vegetables (43) and the following fungi (27): Agaricus bisporus (common mushroom), Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom), Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom) | 0,30’

2) In section 3.2 on cadmium, points 3.2.9, 3.2.15, 3.2.16, 3.2.17 and 3.2.20 are replaced by the following:

Foodstuffs (1) | Maximum levels (mg/kg wet weight)

‘3.2.9 | Crustaceans (26): muscle meat from appendages and abdomen (44). In case of crabs and crab-like crustaceans (Brachyura and Anomura) muscle meat from appendages. | 0,50’

‘3.2.15 | Vegetables and fruit, excluding leaf vegetables, fresh herbs, leafy brassica, fungi, stem vegetables, root and tuber vegetables and seaweed (27) | 0,050’

‘3.2.16 | Stem vegetables, root and tuber vegetables excluding celeriac (27). For potatoes the maximum level applies to peeled potatoes. | 0,10’

‘3.2.17 | Leaf vegetables, fresh herbs, leafy brassica, celeriac and the following fungi (27): Agaricus bisporus (common mushroom), Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom), Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom) | 0,20’

‘3.2.20 | Food supplements (39) consisting exclusively or mainly of dried seaweed, products derived from seaweed, or of dried bivalve molluscs | 3,0’

3) In Section 3.3 on mercury, point 3.3.1 is replaced by the following:

Foodstuffs (1) | Maximum levels (mg/kg wet weight)

‘3.3.1 | Fishery products (26) and muscle meat of fish (24) (25), excluding species listed in 3.3.2. The maximum level for crustaceans applies to muscle meat from appendages and abdomen (44). In case of crabs and crab-like crustaceans (Brachyura and Anomura) it applies to muscle meat from appendages. | 0,50’

4) In Section 5 on dioxins and PCBs, point 5.3 is replaced by the following:

Foodstuffs | Maximum levels

Sum of dioxins (WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ) (32) | Sum of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ) (32)

‘5.3 | Muscle meat of fish and fishery products and products thereof, excluding eel (25) (34). The maximum level for crustaceans applies to muscle meat from appendages and abdomen (44). In case of crabs and crab-like crustaceans (Brachyura and Anomura) it applies to muscle meat from appendages. | 4,0 pg/g wet weight | 8,0 pg/g wet weight’

5) In Section 6 on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, points 6.1.3 and 6.1.5 are replaced by the following:

Foodstuffs (1) | Maximum levels (μg/kg wet weight)

‘6.1.3 | Muscle meat of smoked fish and smoked fishery products (25) (36), excluding bivalve molluscs. The maximum level for smoked crustaceans applies to muscle meat from appendages and abdomen (44). In case of smoked crabs and crab-like crustaceans (Brachyura and Anomura) it applies to muscle meat from appendages. | 5,0’

‘6.1.5 | Crustaceans, cephalopods, other than smoked (26). The maximum level for crustaceans applies to muscle meat from appendages and abdomen (44). In case of crabs and crab-like crustaceans (Brachyura and Anomura) it applies to muscle meat from appendages. | 5,0’

6) Endnote (3) is replaced by the following:‘(3) Foodstuffs listed in this category as defined in Commission Directive 2006/125/EC of 5 December 2006 on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children (OJ L 339, 6.12.2006, p. 16).’;

7) Endnote (16) is replaced by the following:‘(16) Infants and young children as defined in Directive 2006/141/EC (OJ L 401, 30.12.2006, p. 1) and Directive 2006/125/EC.’;

8) The following endnotes (43) and (44) are added:

‘(43). The maximum level for leaf vegetables does not apply to fresh herbs (falling under Code number 0256000 in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005).

(44). This definition excludes the cephalothorax of crustaceans.’.

1 OJ L 37, 13.2.1993, p. 1.

2 OJ L 364, 20.12.2006, p. 5.

3 http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/chemicalsafety/contaminants/cadmium_en.htm

4 OJ L 70, 16.3.2005, p. 1.

5 OJ L 52, 3.3.2010, p. 53.

6 OJ L 68, 18.3.2010, p. 22.

7 OJ L 137, 3.6.2010, p. 4.

8 OJ L 199, 21.7.2006, p. 21.

9 OJ L 313, 28.11.2009, p. 40.

10 OJ L 313, 28.11.2009, p. 40.

11 OJ L 88, 29.3.2007, p. 56.

12 OJ L 52, 3.3.2010, p. 53.

13 OJ L 68, 18.3.2010, p. 22.

14 OJ L 137, 3.6.2010, p. 4.’;