Amendment of the European Contaminants Regulation

The European Contaminants Regulation (EU) 2023 /915 was amended in some parts by a further amending regulation (EU) 2024/1756. The concerns raised by the "stakeholders" were not taken into account..

The most important points are summarised here. The link marked above will take you directly to the text of the regulation.

In the entries on ochratoxin (1.2.9.) and zearalenone (1.5.1.), it has been added that the maximum level for unprocessed oat grains will in future apply to oats with husks. Editorial corrections were made in the Annex regarding unprocessed cereals before the first processing stage and the text of footnote (6) regarding dehulling was supplemented.

Some clarifications were also made regarding the addition "placed on the market for the final consumer".

Rice products were exempted from certain maximum levels and the term itself was defined more precisely in the footnote.

The maximum level for T2 and hT2 toxin in bakery products with a high oat content was set at 100 µg/kg. A "high content" of ground oat products now means at least 75 % (previously 90 %).

The addition "unprocessed" for lineseed intended for the final consumer has been deleted with regard to the maximum content of hydrocyanic acid (150 mg/kg). For oilseeds intended for "crushing for the production of refined vegetable oil", the maximum level is 250 mg/kg.

The maximum levels for PAHs in infant formula and food for special medical purposes in the previous regulation referred to the ready-to-eat product, which was recognised as a translation error and corrected. The maximum levels now refer to the marketed product ("as sold"), whereby a distinction is made between powder and liquid. However, the maximum levels are the same for products sold as a powder and as a liquid.

The changes will come into force on 16 July 2024 without transitional provisions for goods that were previously lawfully placed on the market.

Author: Dr Frank Mörsberger AGROLAB GROUP