Chemical Risks

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a report which describes the results from the European acrylamide monitoring in the period from 2007 to 2009 (22 Member States and Norway submitted a total of 10366 acrylamide results), and presents exposure estimates for the different target populations.

In this update report when comparing data from 2007 to 2009 a trend in Europe towards lower acrylamide values could only be found in three out of 22 food groups (all biscuit groups), whereas an increasing trend was found in ‘crisp bread’ and ‘instant coffee’. There were no statistically significant differences in six groups, whereas in eight groups changes of acrylamide levels over time differed between Member States. The remaining three food groups did not contain enough information to perform any statistical analysis at European level.

Fried potatoes (including French fries), roasted coffee and soft bread were identified as the major contributors to acrylamide exposure in adults; fried potatoes, potato crisps, biscuits and soft bread were identified as the major contributors to exposure in adolescents and children. The exposure estimates for these different age groups in Europe were comparable to those previously reported in risk assessments carried out by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) in 2005 and 2010.

As in previous annual acrylamide reports (EFSA 2009, 2010), it can also be concluded that the voluntary measures developed by industry to reduce acrylamide levels in foods, the so-called "toolbox" approach, have had only limited success. To lower overall exposure it would be desirable to further reduce acrylamide levels in food groups that contribute the most to acrylamide exposure. The report also recommends that sampling in future years should consistently cover the same products and contain sufficient sample numbers in each food group to make interpretation of results easier and to establish clear statistical trends.

EFSA scientific report on acrylamide

A meeting of the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA) was held in Rome, Italy, from 16 to 25 february 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate 6 food contaminants: Acrylamide, Arsenic, Deoxynivalenol, Furan, Mercury and Perchlorate.

Full document

EFSA was asked by the European Commission to deliver a Scientific Opinion on guidance on methodological principles and scientific methods to be take n into account when establishing Reference Points for Action (RPAs) for non - allowed pharmacologically active substances in food of animal origin.

Full report

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of perfluorinated compounds in food during the year 2008-2009, and analyzed the associated human health risk.

The results showed that the intake of those chemical persistant contaminants for Catalonian adult population is quite below the safety levels established by EFSA.

Assessment exposure to perfluorinated compounds

This document provides the global status of scientific knowledge on exposure to and effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

The work is based on the fact that endocrine systems are very similar across vertebrate species and that endocrine effects manifest themselves independently of species. The effects are endocrine system related and not necessarily species dependent. Effects shown in wildlife or experimental animals may also occur in humans if they are exposed to EDCs at a vulnerable time and at concentrations leading to alterations of endocrine regulation. Of special concern are effects on early development of both humans and wildlife, as these effects are often irreversible and may not become evident until later in life. The third and final chapter of this document discusses exposure of humans and wildlife to EDCs and potential EDCs.

Full report

Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of vitamin A

This EFSA statement is a refined exposure assessment of caramel colours (E 150a, E 150c and E 150d) taking into account additional information on its use in foods as consumed. The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) adopted a scientific opinion on the reevaluation of caramel colours (E 150a, E 150b, E 150c, E 150d) used as food additives in 2011. In that opinion, the Panel concluded that the anticipated dietary exposure of child and adult populations may exceed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for caramel colours E 150a, E 150c and E 150d, but exposure estimates to E 150b were below the ADI. Following this conclusion, new data from industry were submitted to EFSA providing updated use levels of caramel colours in foods ready to be consumed. A refined exposure assessment was performed for caramel colours that were exceeding the ADI in ANS Panel opinion (EFSA, 2011a) i.e. E 150a, E 150c and E 150d and concluded that the anticipated dietary exposure are considerably lower than in the previous exposure assessment. However, toddlers and adults have a higher exposure to caramel colour E 150c and could still exceed the ADI of 100 mg/kg bw/day for this caramel colour. The estimated combined exposure to the four caramel colours (E 150a, E 150b, E 150c, E 150d) are considerably lower and the group ADI of 300 mg/kg bw/day is not exceeded for any population group in the current review.

Full report

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of hexaclorobenzene in food during the year 2008, and analyzed the associated human health risk. Besides, ACSA has compared these results with the previous Risk Assessments done in 2000 and 2005.

The results showed that the intake of those chemical persistant contaminants for Catalonian adult population is quite below the safety levels established by WHO, including infant group.

TDE hexaclorobenzene Catalonia

RIFE 2011 is the tenth joint annual report combining the results of the radiological monitoring programmes of the Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The RIFE report includes data for samples collected in 2011.

The main purposes of the Agency's monitoring programme are to ensure that discharges of radioactivity do not result in unacceptable doses to people through their diet, and to check that levels of radioactivity in food are low.

The data are mainly used to calculate the potential dose to consumers eating locally grown food around the UK's nuclear sites. Other dose assessments are included for consumers in areas well away from nuclear sites, where sources of naturally occurring radiation are known to contribute to the radioactivity in the general diet.

The report contains sections on radiological dose assessment methods, recently published surveys and research, current legislation and updates on UK, European Union and international commitments pertinent to the radiological protection area. Radioactivity in the environment comes from several sources, including natural radiation, residues from the Chernobyl accident and atmospheric testing, plus radioactive discharges and emissions from nuclear and non-nuclear sites.

The report focuses on key information that is used to carry out assessments of food safety from radiological sources and the public’s exposure to ionising radiation around the 39 nuclear sites across the UK. The report shows that in 2011, consumers' exposure to artificially produced radioactivity via the food chain (for aquatic, terrestrial and total dose pathways) remained below the EU annual dose limit to members of the public of 1 millisievert for all artificial sources of radiation.

Report FSA Radioactivity in Food and Environment

Appendix

The BFRs that are the subject of the current opinion, were classified in groups termed "emerging" and "novel" BFRs. Information on 17 emerging and 10 novel BFRs was collected. The information varied widely for these BFRs. There is a lack of experimental data on physico-chemical characteristics, stability/reactivity and current use and production volume of all the emerging and novel BFRs.

EFSA Opinion on New BFRs

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a scientific opinion on human exposure through the diet to a diverse group of mixtures known as ‘mineral oil hydrocarbons’ (MOH).

EFSA opinion

FSANZ, together with state and territory agencies, has conducted a national coordinated food survey on the levels of sulphites in sausages, cordials and dried fruit.

Survey

Recommendations

Brominated phenols and their derivatives comprise a complex group of brominated flame retardants, used as reactive as well as additive flame retardants in a large range of resins and polyester polymers.

More info on BFRs

The EFSA CEF Panel has analysed whether the ANSES report "Effets sanitaires du bisphénol A" contains any elements that would necessitate a revision of the EFSA opinion. The conclusions are summarized on this report.

EFSA Reposr on Bisphenol A

A qualitative risk assessment of biogenic amines (BA) in fermented foods was conducted, using data from the scientific literature, as well as from European Union-related surveys, reports and consumption data.

Biogenic Amines EFSA

The Committee on Toxicity considers the potential risk to consumers at the levels of dietary exposure estimated from the FSA survey and to advise on whether the levels of phthalate esters in foods were a health concern. Potential health concerns are mainly based upon the endocrine effects of phthalates.

Phtalates Survey UK

The present evaluation is based on a set of 4,881 samples collected between 2000 and 2009 in seven Member States.

For a more clear analysis of the background contamination and in view of an exposure assessment more data should be collected, in particular for food groups where the number of samples was limited but the frequency of contamination was high (crustaceans, water molluscs) and for food groups with low contamination levels but with high intake (drinking water and other beverages, foods for infants and small children).

EFSA report on PFAS in food

This summary report contains the collective views of an international group of experts on toxicological and Health Aspects of Bisphenol A.

FAO/WHO Report on Bisphenol A

Numerous European Food Safety Agencies and Public Health Institutions has assessed the long-term dietary exposure to 40 different food colours in young children living in 11 European countries. Food consumption data collected among children aged 1 up to 10 years (in Cyprus 11 up to 14 years) during two days using the 24-h recall method were combined with food colour concentrations supplied by EFSA.

Two different exposure scenarios were calculated for each food colour: the maximum permitted usage levels in the relevant Community legislation (here called the „MPL scenario‟) and the actual maximum reported usage patterns (here called the „maximum usage level scenario‟).

The results showed that the food colour exposure differed between the participating countries and depended on the scenario used (MPL vs. Maximum usage level scenario). When interpreting the results, estimates of dietary exposure should be considered as conservative since it was assumed that the respective colour would be systematically present at the Maximum Permitted Level or Maximum Reported Level in all relevant foods consumed on a long-term basis by the children population.

The Agencies recommended to refine the risk assessment of the dietary exposure to food colours in young children in European countries by: gaining insight in the grouping of the analysed commodities in the different food groups in order to improve the linkage between food consumed and those regulated for colours or analysed; gaining insight in the nature of the actual food colour concentration present in the food (representativity); transferring the consumption data into the EFSA database so as to be used for making other exposure assessments in the future.

Exposure to food colours in European young children

These two external report assess long-term dietary exposure to chromium and selenium in young children living in 12 different European countries, using food consumption data for children aged 1 up to 14 years combined with those elements concentrations in food as supplied by EFSA. More info available on these links:

EFSA external report: Selenium
EFSA external report: Chromium

CONTAM Panel has set a new TDI of 0.2 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight. Due to this new TDI, It is recommended that the current SML for melamine from food contact materials is reconsidered in the light of the TDI of 0.2 mg/kg b.w. taking into account all sources of exposure.

CONTAM Opinion

A meeting of the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA) was held in Rome, Italy, from 16 to 25 february 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate 6 food contaminants: Acrylamide, Arsenic, Deoxynivalenol, Furan, Mercury and Perchlorate.

Full document

EFSA News
Statement

INFOSAN issued a Information Note on the current state of knowledge and future actions by WHO and FAO on Bisphenol A . Daily dietary intakes, based on concentrations measured in food, vary widely, but have been estimated in Europe to be about 0.2μg/kg body weight in breast-fed babies, 2.3μg/kg body weight in formula-fed babies using non-PC bottles, 11μg/kg body weight in formula-fed babies using PC bottles, and 1.5μg/kg body weight in adults.EFSA noted that the conservative estimates of exposure were less than 30% of this TDI in all population groups considered, including infants fed using PC bottles.

INFOSAN 5/2009

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of arsenic in food during the year 2008, and analyzed the associated human health risk. Besides, ACSA has compared these results with the previous Risk Assessments done in 2000 and 2005.

The results showed that the intake of arsenic is close to the new safety range established by EFSA in 2009 (0,13-0,56 μg/kg/día), values that indicate a possible risk for certain groups of population.

EDT Arsenic Catalonia

The FSA has investigated the levels of cadmium, lead, copper, zinc and arsenic in UK grown fruits and vegetables. 1266 basket products from local farm shops, greengrocers, pick your own, supermarkets and farmers markets, and samples of field produce and associated soil samples were collected and analysed from late autumn 2010 through to late summer 2011 to ensure that seasonality of crop production and climate was taken into account.

The results confirm that:

• Basket produce from South West England had a higher concentration of total arsenic and copper, compared to basket produce from North East Scotland.
• Levels of cadmium, lead and zinc in the same produce were found to be generally equivalent.
• Vegetables categorised as open leaf e.g. kale, chard, lettuce, greens and spinach had the highest concentrations of total arsenic and cadmium (possibly due to soil contamination on the leaves).
• Levels of total arsenic in potatoes, swedes and carrots were lower when peeled. However, there was no notable difference between the levels of total arsenic found in peeled and unpeeled apples, beetroots, courgettes, cucumbers, parsnips and squashes. Levels of cadmium and lead in potatoes and swedes were lower when peeled. Levels of copper in carrots and swedes were found to be lower when peeled. Levels of zinc in courgettes were found to be lower when peeled.
• On average 98.5% of the total arsenic from basket and field produce collected in South West England was present in the inorganic form.The level of total arsenic in potato skin was on average 75 times greater than that found in potato flesh.
• Correlation between the levels of total arsenic found in the soil and in the produce was most evident in potatoes. No strong correlations were found between soil cadmium levels and levels found in produce. There were good correlations between the levels of copper found in the soil and levels found in peeled potatoes and peeled root vegetables. For lead, there was a correlation between peeled and unpeeled root vegetables and soil lead levels. For zinc, there were only correlations between soil zinc levels and the levels found in peeled root vegetables and cabbage.

The levels of metals reported in this study do not increase concern about risk to human health and do not support any changes to our advice to consumers, therefore our current advice on how to wash and peel fruits and vegetables remains the same.

Arsenic speciation in fruit and vegetables grown in the UK

Total cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in fruit and vegetables grown in the UK

The purpose of this survey was to investigate the levels of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in muscle and kidneys from cattle and sheep. 207 samples of muscle and kidney from England and Wales were tested for total arsenic and inorganic arsenic.

Where concentrations of total arsenic could be measured the levels were found to be low. The level of total arsenic was measured in 71 out of the 103 (69%) samples of kidney and 9 out of the 104 (9%) samples of muscle.The more harmful inorganic arsenic was found at low concentrations in just two samples of kidney and in none of the muscle samples.

The results were used to estimate the dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic and total arsenic from kidneys and meat from cattle and sheep. These indicated that kidney and meat from cattle and sheep provides a minor contribution to the overall human dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic and total arsenic.

The data do not raise food safety concerns, and there is no need for consumers to change their eating habits.

FSA arsenic survey

A meeting of the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA) was held in Rome, Italy, from 16 to 25 february 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate 6 food contaminants: Acrylamide, Arsenic, Deoxynivalenol, Furan, Mercury and Perchlorate.

Full document

In EFSA Scientific Opinion on Arsenic in food, the main food categories of the Concise Food Consumption Database the food subclasses of cereal grains and cereal based products, followed by food for special dietary uses, bottled water, coffee and beer, rice grains and rice based products, fish and vegetables were identified as largely contributing to the inorganic arsenic daily exposure in the general European population. Children under three years of age are the most exposed to inorganic arsenic.The CONTAM Panel recommended that dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic should be reduced. In order to refine risk assessment of inorganic arsenic there is a need to produce speciation data for different food commodities to support dietary exposure assessment and dose-response data for the possible health effects.

Opinion: Arsenic

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of cadmium and mercury through the diet in 2008, and analyzed the associated human health risk. Besides, ACSA has compared these results with the previous Risk Assessments done in 2000 and 2005.

The results showed that the intakes of both heavy metals are very close to the safety limits established by OMS and EFSA.

On one hand, the methylmercury intake for general population has decreased in comparison with the results of the study in 2000. However, the intake for infants and women in childbearing age is very close to the safety level established by OMS in 2003 (1,6μg/kg/week) On the other hand, the cadmium intake resulting in this study reaches the safety level established by EFSA in 2009 (2,50 μg/kg/week).

EDT Hg Catalonia

EDT Cd Catalonia

To better identify major dietary sources, cadmium levels in food on the European market were reviewed and exposure estimated using detailed individual food consumption data. High levels of cadmium were found in algal formulations, cocoa-based products, crustaceans, edible offal, fungi, oilseeds, seaweeds and water molluscs.

Food consumed in larger quantities had the greatest impact on dietary exposure to cadmium. This was true for the broad food categories of grains and grain products (26.9%), vegetables and vegetable products (16.0%) and starchy roots and tubers (13.2%). Looking at the food categories in more detail, potatoes (13.2%), bread and rolls (11.7%), fine bakery wares (5.1%), chocolate products (4.3%), leafy vegetables (3.9%) and water molluscs (3.2%) contributed the most to cadmium dietary exposure across age groups.

The current review confirmed that children and adults at the 95th percentile exposure could exceed health-based guidance values.

The CONTAM Panel of EFSA was asked by the European Commission to confirm whether the current tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 2.5 μg/kg body weight (b.w.) for cadmium is still considered appropriate or whether any modifications are needed in view of the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) of 25 μg/kg b.w. established by the Joint FAO/WHO JECFA in 2010.

The EFSA Statement on Cd TWI

New epidemiological studies have reported cadmium-related biomarkers in urine following environmental exposure. Therefore, the Committee withdrew the PTWI of 7 µg/kg body weight and established a PTMI (expressed on month basis) of 25 µg/kg body weight.

The estimates of exposure to cadmium throught the diet for all age groups examined by the Committee are below the PTMI.

EFSA has delivered a scientific opinion on the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in commercially available foods for infants and young children.

Full Report

ACSA has published the results of the exposure assessment of dioxins, furans and PCBs in food during the year 2008, and analyzed the associated human health risk. Besides, ACSA has compared these results with the previous Risk Assessments done in 2000 and 2005.

The results showed that the joint intake of those three chemical contaminants is below the safety levels established by EFSA and JEFCA, except in the group of children which is slightly above the safety levels, indicating a possible risk for this vulnerable population group.

TDE dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs Catalonia

A total of 13,797 samples were assessed for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) and 19,181 samples for non dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs). These samples were submitted between 1995 and 2010 by 26 European countries.

EFSA Report

On the basis of the currently available data, the BfR has conducted an assessment of the health effects of these latest findings.

BfR Assessment: Dioxins in eggs

The current report provides an update to include all data sampled and analysed between 2004 and 2010 and, in addition to previous reports, presents exposure estimates for different populations.

EFSA Report on Furans

Dioxines, PCBs and dioxin-like PCBs new recomendation

Recomendation

The CONTAM Panel evaluated dioxin and PCB results from 332 sheep liver, 175 sheep meat and 9 deer liver samples submitted by eight European countries and estimated the exposure through consumption of sheep liver for adults (consumers only) and children. Regular consumption of sheep liver would result on average in an approximate 20 % increase of the median background exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs) for adults. On individual occasions, consumption of sheep liver could result in high intakes exceeding the tolerable weekly intake (TWI).

The CONTAM Panel concluded that the frequent consumption of sheep liver, particularly by women of child-bearing age and children, may be a potential health concern. Additional intake of non dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) from consumption of sheep liver does not add substantially to the total dietary intake.

Scientific Opinion: dioxin and dioxin like PCBs in sheep and deer liver

The dioxin-like biological effects observed for some mixed halogenated dioxins, furans and biphenyls (PXDD/Fs and PXBs) are reported to be at least equi-potent to the more widely studied chlorinated dioxins...

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PBBs are present in the environment at low concentrations and likewise in biota and in food and feed. Data from the analysis of 16 PBB congeners in 794 food samples were provided to EFSA by 6 Member States, covering the period from 2003 to 2009.

The intake of PBBs by high and frequent consumers of fatty fish, the subgroup with the highest dietary exposure, was approximately 6 orders of magnitude less than this NOEL. Exposure for high consuming breast-fed infants is 5 orders of magnitude less than this NOEL.

Therefore the CONTAM Panel concluded that the risk to the European population from exposure to PBBs through the diet is of no concern.

EFSA opinion: PBBs

A total of 7270 samples collected in the period 1999-2008 from 19 Member States, Normay and Iceland were analysed in detail by EFSA.
The highest mean leves of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in food expressed on fat basis were observed for liver and products thereof from terrestrial animals and on whole weight basis for fish liver and products thereof. In feed the highest levels were found in fish oil.
To ensure accurate assessments of the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, continuous random testing of sufficient number of samples in each food and feed group is recommended.

A meeting of the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA) was held in Rome, Italy, from 16 to 25 february 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate 6 food contaminants: Acrylamide, Arsenic, Deoxynivalenol, Furan, Mercury and Perchlorate.

Full document

Based on samples taken from 300 products collected between November 2011 to December 2012 (294 were analysed for acrylamide and 113 analysed for furan), the survey gives a snapshot of the range of acrylamide and furan levels in UK retail foods.

For this 2011- 2012 period, the number of products found to contain acrylamide levels that exceeded the ‘indicative value’ for their food group was 17. Where an acrylamide level has exceeded an indicative value, the Agency has asked the relevant local authority to investigate.

The levels of acrylamide and furan reported do not increase concern about the risk to human health and the Agency has not changed its advice to consumers. The Agency advises that consumers follow Department of Health advice on eating a balanced diet and follow Agency advice on acrylamide minimisation.

As with previous years, the survey results for acrylamide and furan will be sent to EFSA for collation, trend analysis and, in the case of furan, a risk assessment.

Acrylamide and furan levels in food

Some foods for infants and young children contain the heavy metals arsenic, lead and cadmium to a varying degree. The levels do not exceed the existing maximum levels but in some cases can still pose a health risk to young children.

This is revealed by a large-scale, detailed study carried out by Livsmedelsverket [the Swedish National Food Agency] to investigate the extent of the problem of heavy metals and harmful levels of minerals in foods for children. In 2011-12, Livsmedelsverket studied 92 different foods for infants (0-12 months) and young children (1-3 years) from 24 companies: 13 infant formula and follow-on formula products, 40 porridge and gruel products, 27 products for special medical purposes, nine rice,- oat,- and soya drinks and three other products (porridge oats, roasted oat flour and instant rice). Besides arsenic, lead and cadmium, analyses were also carried out for the minerals iron, copper and manganese. Results show that it is mainly in cereal-based, including rice- and soya-based, products that levels of certain heavy metals and minerals could pose a health risk to infants and young children. We therefore advise parents to vary their children's food, in other words to give them different kinds of food and to vary the brands.

Arsenic

All rice products studied – porridge, gruel and rice drinks – contained arsenic. Rice drinks in particular could pose a health risk to young children. They are often used as a milk substitute for children who are allergic to milk or children on a vegan diet, for example, and in such cases they are consumed for long periods of time. We consider this to be so serious that we advise parents not to give rice drinks to children under the age of six.

Lead

Many products contained low levels of lead, but it is important to reduce the levels even further. This is especially true for infant formula and products for sick children, since these products are often used as a sole source of nutrition. One of the porridges and one of the gruels contained lead, and these levels also need to be reduced. - Even though the levels of lead in the products were below the maximum levels, they give cause for concern since infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of lead. We are informing the companies concerned of the results and emphasising how important it is that they reduce the levels, says Emma Halldin Ankarberg. Cadmium was also present in some products. The levels are not considered to pose any acute health risk, but the levels need to be reduced further.

Manganese

The study also carried out analyses for the minerals iron, copper and manganese. Three products exceeded the maximum levels for at least one of the minerals studied. In eleven of the products to which a mineral had been added, the difference between the analysed content and the declared content exceeded what may be considered acceptable. This reveals deficiencies in the companies' controls on the products, particularly when it comes to products for sick children, where the difference between declared and actual content differed too much in 26 per cent of the products. The products for sick children also contained high levels of manganese. In most cases, the companies had not added more manganese than is permitted according to EU maximum levels. However, when the products are given in the doses indicated on the packaging, the amount of manganese ingested by infants and young children is too high. Infants and young children who only receive enteral formula, for example, can ingest more than what is referred to as the "tolerable daily intake" of manganese.

Report 1. Analytical results

Report 2. Risk and Benefit assessment

Report 3. Risk and Benefit management

The results from the analysis of food samples collected from Scottish businesses in 2011 have shown a slight increase in the levels of satisfactory samples in comparison with the previous year.

During 2011, almost 9,200 food samples were collected from Scottish businesses and analysed by the Public Analyst Laboratories in Scotland. More than 5,000 samples were examined microbiologically and a further 4,188 underwent chemical analysis, including tests for contaminants, additives and labelling inaccuracies.

As in previous years, the results of sampling in 2011 show that there were very few issues relating to foodborne pathogens (illness causing organisms). The majority of failures in microbiological testing (83%) were due to the elevated levels of hygiene indicators (bacteria that can be used as indicators of general hygiene practices in food premises) and total bacterial counts (total number of bacteria on a food sample). These are not inherently a hazard but can indicate poor hygiene practices during food preparation and handling. Chemical failures were largely because of labelling issues (88%), rather than due to the presence of harmful substances or inappropriate use of food additives.

It provides reassurance to consumers that the majority of samples collected in Scotland comply with food safety and standards legislation and that appropriate mechanisms are in place to identify and respond to unsatisfactory results.

Scottish food surveillance report 2011

The Committees on Toxicity (COT), Mutagenicity (COM) and Carcinogenicity (COC) belonging to the British Food Safety Agency (FSA) have published the annual report for the year 2009 on chemicals in food, consumer products and environment.

This report summarized various agreements reached during past year. We highlight: Arsenic, Cadmium, Acrylamide and Fumagillin, inter alia.

COT/COM/COC Report

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) in collaboration with Rovira I Virgili University has analyzed the chemical contaminants in fish and shellfish consumed in Catalonia during the period 2005-2007, and their exposure for the Catalonian population.

The chemical contaminants studied are heavy metals, dioxins, PCB, furans and PHA, among others. Their exposure are found to be below the reference values, except in arsenic, mercury, cadmium and dioxins and PCB, with 60-75% of the safety values.

Overall, the results do not show a health concern for the Catalonian consumers. Only, two vulnerable groups are identified, as in previous studies, in terms of methyl-mercury intake, pregnant women and children, to whom it is necessary to keep the recommendations regarding the consumption of big predatory fish species (tuna, emperor and swordfish).

ACSA Total Diet Study

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has issued a report on chemical contaminants in fish and shellfish consumed in Catalonia. This report emphasizes the higher concentrations of mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls found, whilst also noting, within the white fish group, the relatively high levels of contamination found in red mullet and the high mercury levels found in swordfish.

The aim of this FSA-Scotland project was to identify high-level consumers of lead-shot wild-game meat in Scotland and to investigate consumption habits and behaviours of these consumers. The results have been used by COT to assess whether levels of consumptions of lead-shot wild-game meat are likely to pose risk to consumers, due to exposure to lead, and to develop targeted advice:

• Half of the respondents (51%) eat lead-shot game at least once a week during the main shooting season, and a fifth of participants (21%) consume lead-shot game at least once a week out of the main shooting season.
• The majority of respondents (85%) considered wild-game meat to be suitable and safe for all members of the household to eat, including children and the elderly, however, the levels of consumption were lower for children under 5 years old and adults between 65 and 74 (23 and 18% decrease, respectively).
• Lead shot is not often found in wild-game meat, with the majority of respondents stating that they find a piece of lead-shot only occasionally (28-30%), rarely (33-35%) or never (14-22%).

The Risk Assessment conclusions performed by COT as follows:

• In general, lead levels were higher in smaller game (birds) than larger game (venison).
• A majority of the consumers use acidic media in the cooking and the lead would be more bioavailable.
• Regular consumption of game meat could increase exposure to lead; if two portions of venison (large game) are consumed every week throughout the year, it could nearly double the dietary exposure. Consumption of two game bird meals every week throughout the year would increase the dietary exposure to lead by up to 8 times for an adult and up to 5 times for a toddler. In those cases, there is potential increased risk of cardiovascular or kidney effects
• This increased exposure would be a concern in the case of toddlers, young children and pregnant women, because of the neurotoxicity of lead to the developing brain.
• The risks are lower for people who eat game occasionally.

Final report

Risk Assessment

The current EFSA study examined 144,206 analytical results for lead in food collected during a nine-yearperiod.

More than half of the foods tested had levels of lead at less than detection or quantification limits.

EFSA report Lead in food

Soil contamination with lead is often a bottleneck in the use of soil when growing vegetables. After consumption of the crops lead may cause a range of health effects such as behavioral problems and learning disabilities. Children under six years old are most at risk. Hence, the prediction of lead uptake by vegetables and potatoes is an importart part of the assessement of human health risks of vegetable gardens.

Based on a new data set an improved methodology for calculating the absorption of lead has been developed. This dataset contains data of 2800 samples and 32 different crops. For each sample data included the soil lead content, crop lead concentration, soil pH, clay and organic matter content was taken up. Soil-plant uptake relations were derived for the different crops resulting in an improved model for the prediction of risks. The model proved that the uptake factor of lead (expressed as the ratio between plant concentration and soil concentration) at high lead soil levels gradually decreases.

With the new model the prediction of health risks is improved. This means that, for the risk assessment of contaminated sites, less additional crop research is necessary. This saves not only research costs and time but it prevents also unwarranted concern among owners of home gardens.

More information

Risk Assessment of lead in wild game meat in Spain. Although the information available in Spain regarding the lead content in wild game meat and its consumption is incomplete, following the analysis of data available in Spain, it has been shown that the average lead content in pieces of large and small game exceeds the European Union general limits for meat and offal (there are no specific limits for this food) and these contents are similar to those found throughout Europe and other countries.

The risk assessment associated with consuming wild game meat in Spain shows a situation almost identical to the one described by the EFSA for the entire population of Europe. No negative effects can be discarded in the adult population that has diet that includes a lot of wild game meat.

In this Committee’s opinion, considering the situation in Spain, the most appropriate measure re¬garding the consumption of wild game meat that is contaminated with lead as a result of using lead ammunition would be to reduce the possible exposure to lead from this source. This would be done following specific recommendations for consuming and preparing food for groups of the population that consume this type of meat, and encouraging banning lead ammunition and/or replacing it with existing alternatives.

AESAN Risk Assessment lead in wild game meat

Long-term dietary exposure to lead in children aged 1 up to 14 years living in 12 different European countries was estimated using daily food consumption patterns and mean lead concentrations in various food commodities. The food groups vegetables, cereals, miscellaneous, fruit juices, soft drinks/edible ices and milk/dairy drinks were identified as largely contributing to the long-term dietary exposure to lead.

Using upper bound concentrations, 99th percentile consumers aged 1 to 10 years exceeded the daily equivalent of the PTWI in the majority of countries.

Due to the uncertainties related to the lead exposure assessment presented, the exposure results should be interpreted with caution and do not necessarily represent the intake of lead at the national level.

EFSA Report on exposure to lead in children

The scope of this project to collate, compile and summarise the scientific literature on the toxicity of methyl mercury, inorganic mercury and total mercury in humans and experimental animals published since 2002 and not evaluated in former JECFA risk assessments.

Epidemiological data on MeHg toxicity confirmed former findings on an association between prenatal exposure and developmental neurotoxicity. Recent findings also support an influence of methyl mercury on the cardiovascular and immune system. Existing epidemiological data reveal several shortcomings limiting their suitability for risk assessment. Developmental neurotoxicity seems to be the most critical effect of MeHg in animals. Systemic effects other than neurotoxicity have been mostly observed at higher doses than those producing neurotoxicity.

No qualified epidemiological data appropriate for the evaluation of the toxicity of inorganic mercury after oral intake have been identified due to several limitations of the studies, e.g. small study group, insufficient control for confounders, inadequate exposure assessment.Toxicological studies in experimental animals widely confirmed former findings with respect to the target organs (neuro-, liver-, kidney-, immune- and reproductive toxicity, oxidative stress). The animal studies indicate that there might be relevant toxicological effects (developmental toxicity, liver toxicity) of inorganic mercury at dose levels similar or below the BMDL10 value used for the derivation of the existing PTWI.

However, due to some limitations of the studies no final conclusions can be drawn from these studies and the findings need further confirmation.

EFSA was asked by the European Commission to consider new developments regarding inorganic mercury and methylmercury toxicity and evaluate whether the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) provisional tolerable weekly intakes for methylmercury of 1.6 µg/kg body weight (b.w.) and of 4 µg/kg b.w. for inorganic mercury were still appropriate. In line with JECFA, the CONTAM Panel established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for inorganic mercury of 4 µg/kg b.w., expressed as mercury.

For methylmercury, the new developments have indicated that n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish may counteract negative effects from methylmercury exposure, and the Panel established a TWI for methylmercury of 1.3 µg/kg b.w., expressed as mercury. The mean dietary exposure across age groups does not exceed the TWI for methylmercury. The 95th percentile dietary exposure is close to or above the TWI for all age groups. High fish consumers, which might include pregnant women, may exceed the TWI. Unborn children constitute the most vulnerable group.

Biomonitoring data from blood and hair indicate that methylmercury exposure is generally below the TWI in Europe, but inhalation exposure of elemental mercury from dental amalgam is likely to increase the internal inorganic mercury exposure; thus the TWI might be exceeded. If measures to reduce methylmercury exposure are considered, the potential beneficial effects of fish consumption should also be taken into account. Scientific review on mercury toxicity data
Risk Assesment on mercury in food

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of cadmium and mercury through the diet in 2008, and analyzed the associated human health risk. Besides, ACSA has compared these results with the previous Risk Assessments done in 2000 and 2005.

The results showed that the intakes of both heavy metals are very close to the safety limits established by OMS and EFSA.

On one hand, the methylmercury intake for general population has decreased in comparison with the results of the study in 2000. However, the intake for infants and women in childbearing age is very close to the safety level established by OMS in 2003 (1,6μg/kg/week) On the other hand, the cadmium intake resulting in this study reaches the safety level established by EFSA in 2009 (2,50 μg/kg/week).

EDT Hg Catalonia

EDT Cd Catalonia

USA researchers have used DNA barcodes to identify tuna sushi samples analysed for mercury and demonstrate that the ability to identify cryptic samples in the market place allowing regulatory agencies to more accurately measure the risk faced by fish consumers and enacting policies that better safeguard their health.

The results indicated that mercury concentrations in tuna are positively correlated with body size and larger individuals are more likely to be sushi-grade and valued the highest. They found significantly lower mercury levels in supermarket sushi because samples were dominated (77%) by Yellowfin Tuna, which comprised a minority of restaurant samples (22%) and was found to be the species with the lowest mercury concentration. Whereas, Bluefin and Bieye tuna, mayority of restaurant samples, showed the highest mercury level.

The authors suggest that health agencies should consider adding Bigeye and Bluefin tuna to mercury advisories. For instance, the mercury levels in these species are within the bounds of fish the FDA and EPA advise pregnant or nursing women and children to avoid entirely, and thus these tunas should be included in the advisory. Consumers could make more informed health decisions if the FDA, and regulatory agencies in other nations, enforced market-specific names for species high in mercury.

Scientific article on mercury in tuna

A meeting of the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA) was held in Rome, Italy, from 16 to 25 february 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate 6 food contaminants: Acrylamide, Arsenic, Deoxynivalenol, Furan, Mercury and Perchlorate.

Full document

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of Patulin in food during the period 2008-2009, and analyzed the associated human health risk. In this forth chapter, ACSA has published the results of intake of Patulin present in apple food and beverage products.

The results showed that the exposure of Catalonian population to Patulin is below the safety levels established by TDI.

Patulin assessment

Methodology

Food consumption

A total of 2183 food samples collected between 2007 and 2012, and with analytical data on the four aflatoxins of interest, were available in the database. Among the samples, 1341 corresponded to cereals and their milling products and 842 to processed cereal products. Rice (636 samples) and breakfast cereals (346 samples) were the categories with the highest number of samples reported. Some 1964 samples (90%) did not report quantified values for any of the four aflatoxins.

EFSA Report on Aflatoxins in Europe

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of Ocratoxin A in food during the period 2008-2009, and analyzed the associated human health risk. In this second part, ACSA has published the results of intake of ocratoxin A present in cereals and derivated products (beer, infant food, sliced bread), coffee and wine.

The results showed that the exposure of Catalonian population to Ocratoxin A is below the safety levels established by EFSA.

Ocratoxin A assessment

Methodology

Food consumption

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of fumonisins in food during the period 2008-2009, and analyzed the associated human health risk.

In this second part, ACSA has published the results of intake of fumonisins B1 y B2 present in cereals and derivated products.

The results showed that the exposure of Catalonian population to those two mycotoxins is below the safety levels

Introduction

Methodology

Food consumption

Fumonisins B1 y B2 assessment

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of micotoxins in food during the period 2008-2009, and analyzed the associated human health risk.

In this first part, ACSA has published the results of intake of aflatoxins B and G present in dried fruit and B1 present in milk and dairy products.

The results showed that the exposure of Catalonian population to aflatoxins B and G contaminants is close to the safety levels, whereas the aflatoxin M1 is below to the safety levels, including for the vulnerable population groups (celiac and infants).

Introduction
Methodology
Food consumption
A B & G flatoxins B & G
Aflatoxin M1

Scientific Opinion on Ergot alkaloids in food and feed.

Article

The last decade, an increase of micotoxins in food and feed has been ocurred, mainly, due to the climate change effects, which make the funghi (mycotoxin-producing) grow in field crops. Therefore, the Food Safety Agencies are dealing them as pobrable emerging risks.

This article summarises the main micotoxins in food and feed, their harmful effect on human health, and measures to reduce the mycotoxins contamination.

Citrinin is a mycotoxin produced by several species of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Monascus and occurs mainly in stored grains.

EFSA opinion on Citrinin

A total of 20,519 results for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in food, feed and unprocessed grains, collected in 2005-2010 from 22 European countries, were used in this EFSA evaluation.

EFSA Risk Assessment on Trichothecenes

The FSA has commissioned a four-year rolling surveillance programme to quantify a number of mycotoxins in a variety of foods. Here the report of the results of the second year of surveillance.

The European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority to review the safety of Alternaria toxins in food and feed. In addition to causing plant diseases on many crops such as cereals, oilseeds, tomatoes, apples and olives, some of these toxins are genotoxic in vitro and/or fetotoxic in rats.

Article

The European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority to review the safety of zearalenone and the risk to consumers of a possible increase of the maximum level (ML) for zearalenone in breakfast cereals. A total of 13,075 analytical results obtained on food samples and 9,877 results on unprocessed grains sampled by 19 European countries in 2005 2010 were used in the evaluation.

Full Report

This FSA report summarizes the results from a survey investigating the presence of mycotoxins in a range of cereals and cereal products available on the UK retail market, including wheat, maize, oats, rye and barley products.

Report on mycotoxins in cereals

This report considers examples of the influence of different factors on two major food crops and of some specific mycotoxins, as well as available data on inherent plant toxins. Attention is drawn to those areas where data are scarce. The term “inherent plant toxins” is used in this paper because most of the examples presented focus on plant compounds that cause a toxic effect at the levels found in the plant.

Report on Natural toxins in crops

The aim of the current study was to collect, compile and synthesise data on T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, including contamination of food and feed commodities and products thereof in Europe.

The available data show that oats can be highly contaminated with T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, with frequently high incidence and concentration.

The occurrence and concentration of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in barley has increased across Europe since 2004, and stabilized at an incidence of about 80%. Contamination in the resulting malt used for beer production has also increased.

In some occasions, maize is contaminated with T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, usually at a moderate level. T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin contamination of wheat occurs very infrequently and at a low concentration level.

Feed products that can be highly contaminated include by-products from oat processing (pellets). Food products generally show low incidence and concentration of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, however, oat products may contain the two mycotoxins.

Report on T-2 y HT-2

Trichothecene mycotoxins can be present in plants and derived products thereof and therefore might be of concern for human and/or animal health. T-2 and HT-2 toxin are secondary fungal metabolites belonging to the group of type A trichothecenes and are primarily produced by Fusarium species.

Fusarium fungi are probably the most prevalent toxin-producing fungi of the northern temperate regions but T-2 toxin and related mycotoxins are present worldwide.

EFSA Report on T-2 and HT-2 toxins

A meeting of the FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JEFCA) was held in Rome, Italy, from 16 to 25 february 2010. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate 6 food contaminants: Acrylamide, Arsenic, Deoxynivalenol, Furan, Mercury and Perchlorate.

Full document

IFST´s updated new information statement provides an overview on mycotoxins including health implications, toxicological effects, regulatory limits, analytical methods and prevention and control.

Statement

The Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has published a Manual in which it reviews the principles of Hazard and Critical Control Point Analysis and develops a plan to apply this to the control of micotoxins (aphlatoxins, tricothecens, zearalenona, fumonisins, ocratoxin A and patulin).

The EFSA issued a statement on possible public health risks for infants and young children from the presence of nitrates in leafy vegetables.

Nitrate exposure at the current or proposed maximum levels for nitrate in spinach cooked from fresh is unlikely to be a health concern, although a risk for some infants eating more than one spinach meal in a day cannot be excluded.

EFSA Statement Nitrate in leafy vegetables

The CONTAM Panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued an opinion on nitrates in vegetables comparing the risk and benefits. Overall, the estimated exposures to nitrate from vegetables are unlikely to result in appreciable health risks, therefore the recognised beneficial effects of consumption of vegetables prevail. The Panel recognised that there are occasional circumstances e.g. unfavourable local/home production conditions for vegetables which constitute a large part of the diet, or individuals with a diet high in vegetables such as rucola which need to be assessed on a case by case basis.

For the assessment of multiple residues in regulatory practice, the BfR recommends that the cumulative risk be evaluated by means of the determination and addition of hazard indices (HI) for the individual active substances. This is a simple and fast method which provides consumers with adequate protection at the same time and which can be refined step-by-step if necessary by including additional toxicological information. The hazard index is a measure of the extent to which the residue of an active substance ingested via food reaches its toxicological limit values (ADI, ARfD). In addition, the cumulative assessment groups to which the individual substances are classified due to their toxicological effect should not be too big. It would be preferable to use deterministic methods to estimate cumulative exposure

BfR cumulative risk of pesticides

The latest available Europe-wide testing programme of pesticides in food has found that over 97% of samples contained residue levels that fall within permissible limits, said the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The European Union Report on Pesticide Residues in Foods also assessed dietary exposure and concluded the chemical residues on the foods analysed did not pose a long-term risk to consumer health. The evaluation of short-term dietary exposure excluded a risk to consumers from 99.6% of food samples.

The fourth annual report, published today, gives an overview of pesticide residues found in food in 2010 in the 27 EU Member States, as well as Iceland and Norway[1]. As part of this analysis, EFSA tested an innovative approach to dietary exposure known as cumulative risk assessment. In contrast to established techniques that evaluate pesticide residues individually, this approach considers the potential effects of combined exposure to a number of chemicals that have similar toxicological properties.

EFSA Pesticides Unit head Herman Fontier said: "This annual report on pesticide residues makes important recommendations for improved monitoring at national and EU level. It ensures risk managers have the most accurate and relevant information upon which to make decisions."

EFSA

The Catalonian Food Safety Agency (ACSA) has published the results of the exposure assessment of persistent organic pollutans (POPs) such as DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, hexachlorocyclohexane, endosulfan and alachlor via food comsuption during the year 2005-2007.

Exposure assessment to COPs for the Catalonian Population

Monographs containing summaries or residue data and toxicological data considered at the 2011 JMPR, together with recommendations, are available upon request from FAO or WHO.

Full report

Data on pesticide residue analytical survey on Spanish food in 2010.

Data report pesticides Spain

The report presents the results of the control of pesticide residues in food commodities sampled during the calendar year 2009 in the 27 EU Member States and two EFTA countries (Iceland and Norway). The report also comprises the outcome of the consumer risk assessment of pesticide residues. Finally, the report provides some recommendations aiming to improve future monitoring programmes and enforcement of the European pesticide residue legislation.

The consumer risks of active substances are evaluated considering one substance at a time, which gives crucial information, but as such cannot give an overall picture of dietary exposure. The probability of dietary exposure was estimated by cumulative simulation methods. For the first time in Finland exposure estimation in acute setting and also among sensitive groups, such as young children, has been carried out. The cumulative risk assessment presented herein is based on research results gained in control of 250 pesticides residues from a total of 10,565 foodstuff samples.

While chronic exposure to pesticide residues did not raise any concerns, the situation in acute exposure setting cannot be considered equally good. Carbamates and organophosphates resulted in aRfD exceedances among adults and children with a probability higher than 0,01% and 0,1%, respectively. Although the most important underlying carbamates and organophosphates are not used in Finland any more, current situation does not in all respects fulfil the goals set for the level of protection, because, organophosphates and carbamates are mostly found in products (spinach, cucumber, apple, salad and beans) imported into the EU.

Consequently, the Finish Agency concluded that the exposure of three-year old children to carbamates and organophosphates requires further attention, and the exposure to pesticides residues can be reduced by eating a varied range of fruit and vegetables.

Cumulative risk assessment on plant protection products

Dietary Risk Assessment on Pesticide Residues in Food -FAO/OMS- 2010 The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Panel of Experts on Pesticide Residues in Food and the Environment and the WHO (World Health Organization) Core Assessment Group on Pesticide Residues had a meeting last September 2010 to perform Risk Assessment of Residues of 22 Pesticide in food, from long-term and short-term dietary intake. As a result, the international estimate of short-term dietary intake (IESTI) of two pesticides exceeded the acute reference dose (ARfD), bifenthrin on strawberries and triazophos in rice.

In order to strengthen its dietary risk assessments, the Meeting strongly recommends:

• Refine the estimation of the short-term dietary intake of pesticides and the interpretation of the outcomes of short-term dietary risk assessment, including characterization of uncertainties.
• Update the Food Consumption Data used for these assessments (GEMS/Food Programme) by the Codex Member States, to ensure that the Panels use the best available, reliable and current data.

2010 FAO/OMS Report on Pesticide Residues in Food

The report gives an overview of the control activities performed by EU Member States and EFSA countries in order to ensure compliance of food with the standards defined in European legislation on pesticide residues.

The majority of samples taken were produced in one of the European reporting countries (77%), while 20% of the samples were taken from imported consignments or lots. For 3 % of the samples the origin was not reported.

2008 Annual Report on Pesticide Residues

Report of the Joint Meeting of the FAO Panel of Experts on Pesticide Residues in Food and the Environment and WHO the Core Assessment Group.

2009 Report

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cereals, vegetables and smoked foods Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in a range of cereals, cereal products, vegetables, vegetable products and traditionally smoked foods. A total of 230 samples of the targeted foods were tested for 28 PAH compounds.

The higher concentrations of PAHs were generally found in traditionally smoked fish products, with 4 out of 73 samples exceeding the current limit for benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in smoked fish. In consequence, local enforcement authorities provided advice on the steps that the companies should take to reduce PAH levels to achieve compliance.

Since there are no regulatory limits for PAHs in cereals and vegetables, the FSA carried out a risk assessment for these food groups which showed that these food groups provide a minor contribution to exposure to four PAHs that provide an indicator of the presence of PAHs in food.

In general, the PAHs measured in this survey (including those known to be more harmful to health) were found at low levels. Then, the FSA established that there is no need for consumers to change their eating habits.

FSA PAHs intake

The ACSA has published the first results of the Total Diet Study in Catalonia 2008, which provides data on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) intake by the diet of the Catalans.

ACSA Total Diet Study 2008

The Finnish Food Safety Authority implemented a control project in 2005, in which the presence of PAH compounds in smoked fish products was investigated. When the skin is then removed, the level of PAH compounds decreases. The results indicated that a higher benzo(a)pyrene level is associated with a higher content of total PAH compounds.

More information

The presence of unauthorised substances, residues of veterinary medicinal products or chemical contaminants in food may pose a risk factor for public health.

Report - EFSA

This project aimed at obtaining experimental data related to the uptake of coccidiostats authorised in the European Union particularly in vegetables grown on poultry manure-amended soils -An animal trial (poultry) and a plant trial (carrot, lettuce, potato, tomato and courgette)-.

EFSA Report: Coccidiostats in Vegetables

This report summarises the monitoring data from 2010 on the presence of residues of veterinary medicinal products and certain substances in live animals and animal products in the European Union.

Residues of veterinary medicinal products in live animals and animal products 2010

Seventy-fith meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

Report

The present report summarises the 764 736 monitoring data available from 2009 in the 27 Member States. There were 1 406 non-compliant samples (0.32 %) out of the total targeted samples. The frequency of non-compliant samples within the substance groups was 0.46 % for antithyroid agents, 0.39 % for steroids, 0.17 % for resorcylic acid lactones, 0.01 % for betaagonists, 0.07 % for prohibited substances, 0.21 % for antibacterials, 0.16 % for anthelmintics, 1 % for anticoccidials, 0.02 % for carbamates and pyrethroids, 0.11 % for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and 0.21 % for other pharmacologically active substances.

EFSA Report

This report summarized the 2008 results from the monitoring of veterinary medicinal product residues and other substances in food of animal origin in the Member States.

A total of over 750,000 targeted samples were reported, of which less than 2,000 (0.27%) results were found to be over the legal limits. The frequency of non-compliant results (i.e. those which exceeded maximum limits) was similar to that found in previous years for most regulated veterinary medicines.

EFSA Report