The Cracker Magazine
July 2010 Issue
Available online at www.nutfruit.org/crackeronline
CONTENTS
- Beijing Recap a Big Success!
- Pistachio Health and Safety Seminar
- New! Nuthealth.org Launched
Codex Alimentarius Commission
Geneva (Switzerland), 5-9 July 2010
The INC participated in the Thirty-third Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, held in Geneva, Switzerland from 5 to 9 July 2010. The Session was attended by delegates from 120 Member countries, 1 Member Organization, and 37 international governmental and non-governmental organizations, including UN agencies.
The Commission adopted i.a. the following documents:
Draft standards and related texts at Step 8 (adoption of the standard)
- Draft maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides (ALINORM 10/33/24)
The Commission adopted most of the draft MRLs as proposed by the Committee. The following MRLs were adopted, a.o.:
- Proposed draft maximum levels (MLs) for total aflatoxins in shelled, ready to eat Brazil nuts and shelled, destined for further processing Brazil nuts (ALINORM 10/33/41).
This document fixes MLs for aflatoxin in shelled Brazil nuts at 10 μg/kg for ready to eat nuts and at 15 μg/kg for nuts destined for further processing.
- Proposed draft revision of the code of practice for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin in tree nuts, additional measures for Brazil nuts (ALINORM 10/33/41)
This document introduces additional measures for Brazil nuts, to be incorporated in the Appendix on Additional Measures for Brazil Nuts of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Tree Nuts (CAC/RCP 59-2005) (following the completion of the Standards and Trade Development Facility SafeNut Project which addressed the factors causing aflatoxin contamination in the Brazil nut production chain and the methods of control available). The document determines i.a. that to avoid aflatoxin formation, the nuts should be dried to a safe moisture level corresponding to a water activity below 0.70 preferably within 10 days from the collection.
Proposed draft standards and related texts at Step 5 (adoption of the draft standard)
- Proposed draft maximum residue limits for pesticides (ALINORM 10/33/24)
The Commission adopted the draft MRLs as proposed (noting the reservations expressed by some delegations as regards the MRLs for fluopicolide and haloxyfop). The adopted MRLs include the following:
- Proposed draft revision of the codex classification of foods and animal feeds – proposal for three commodity groups: tree nuts; herbs and spices (ALINORM 10/33/24)
Revocation of existing Codex standards and related texts
- Revocation of MRLs for pesticides/commodity combinations (ALINORM 10/33/24)
The document revokes a.o. the following pesticide/commodity combinations:
Proposals for the elaboration of new standards and related texts
- Maximum levels for total aflatoxins in dried figs (ALINORM 10/33/41)
The Commission agreed to initiate new work on maximum levels for total aflatoxins in dried figs, as proposed by the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF) at its latest meeting in Izmir, Turkey, in April 2010. The proposed draft maximum levels will be developed by an electronic Working Group led by Turkey, for consideration at the next session of the CCCF, with a view to their finalization in 2012.
Matters arising from the reports of the Codex Committees and Task Forces
The Commission noted several matters arising from the reports of Codex Committees, including matters arising from the latest session of the CCFFV (Mexico, October 2009), during which it was noted that the UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Standards had decided to remove the reference to “UNECE” from the cover pages of its standards and label them as “UN” standards instead, and request the Codex Secretariat to explore the implications of this decision. The change from “UNECE” to “UN” standards was intended to avoid giving the impression that the standards are meant to be used within the UNECE region (i.e. Europe) only.
The INC intervened to stress its support for the “globalization” of UNECE standards to UN standards. In the view of the INC, the consumption, production and trade of nuts and dried fruits has now truly become global, therefore worldwide standards are needed to aid international trade. This globalization is reflected in the wide range of activities that Codex had already undertaken on the safety of nuts and dried fruits through the development of sampling plans and provisions for contaminants, additives, and pesticides. The INC acknowledged the work of the UNECE Specialized Section on Dry and Dried Produce in the development of commodity standards for this type of products, supporting the “globalization” of UNECE standards by changing the title to "UN" standards.
Consideration of the impact of private standards
The FAO representative presented a paper regarding private food safety standards (impact on market access and public health, certification costs, transparency and stakeholder participation, and legitimacy), especially with regard to developing countries. A number of concerns were highlighted, including the tendency for private companies to set more stringent standards than those of Codex, the limited opportunities for developing country input, the difficulties to implement private standards in small-scale food businesses in developing countries, the cost of certification and multiple certification requirements. A key question is whether private standards support or undermine public policy.
Report of the 33rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, Geneva, Switzerland, 5 - 9 July 2010.
UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards
Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce
Geneva (Switzerland), 28 June - 2 July, 2010
The INC participated in the 57th Session of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce, held in Geneva, 28 June – 2 July 2010. Representatives of France, Germany, Hungary, India, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey and the USA attended the meeting, along with a representative of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Mr. Pino Calcagni, Chairman of the INC Scientific and Government Affairs Committee, provided an update on the recent activities, especially the recent World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress held in China, May 2010. He stressed the economic importance of the nut and dried fruit sector, noting its global production and consumption character. He also reported on INC’s collection of statistical data of nuts and dried fruits around the world, and briefly described INC’s participation in the EU co-financed project Mycored (Novel Integrated Strategies for Worldwide Mycotoxin Reduction in Food and Feed Chains). He underlined INC’s continued support for the work of the UNECE Specialized Section on Dry and Dried Fruit and stressed the importance of helping producer countries to meet quality requirements.
The Specialized Section discussed the proposed option of removing the reference to “United Nations Economic Commission for Europe” at the top of the cover page of the standards, noting that the UNECE standards for dry and dried produce were more and more widely and globally applied. A delegation requested extension of time to reflect on the issue until the Working Party’s session in November 2010.
The Specialized Section agreed to submit the revised texts for approval on Hazelnut Kernels, Pistachio Kernels and Peeled Pistachio Kernels, Dates to the Working Party in November 2010 for adoption as revised UNECE standards. Delegations reviewed the text of the Recommendation for Inshell Macadamia Nuts and Macadamia Kernels, and introduced several changes. The Specialized Section agreed to submit the revised texts to the Working Party in November 2011 for adoption as new UNECE standards. The Standard for Cashew Kernels was revised by informal working groups that took place during the week, and a fundamental revision would be continued by a working group led by India and the INC; the United Republic of Tanzania and Germany agreed to participate. It was decided that the work on the alignment of the existing Inshell Walnuts with the New Standard Layout would start in 2012. The Specialized Section reviewed the first draft Explanatory Brochure for Walnut Kernels, which had been prepared by the delegation of the United States.
It was decided to continue the work on new sampling procedures, one for tree nuts and one for dried produce. The Rapporteur (Germany) together with other interested delegates including France, United States and INC, will prepare new drafts.
The Specialized Section agreed i.a. on the following items for future work:
- Development of a new UNECE Standard for Brazil Nut Kernels (Coordination: INC, together with Brazil);
- Development of a new UNECE Standard for Pine Nuts (Coordination: INC, together with France, Spain, Turkey, United States, as well as, if possible, Canada, China, Italy, Mongolia, Pakistan, Portugal, or Russia);
- Coordination with the Codex secretariat in the area of nuts and dried fruit.
UNECE Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce. Report on its fifty-seventh session. Geneva, 28 June – 2 July 2010.
Nuts Highlighted in the IFT Meeting and Food Expo
The INC exhibited at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting and Food Expo in McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, USA, from 18 to 20 July 2010, where thousands of food scientists, suppliers, and marketers around the globe encountered innovations, from new health and safety benefits and product innovations to the latest consumer favorites, fears, and trends.
The participation of the INC at the IFT Meeting and Food Expo was a great chance to provide valuable information about nuts and dried fruits, to meet with INC members and to expand business contacts.
Tree nuts and peanuts were also highlighted in several scientific sessions:
- Nuts: Phytochemicals, health effects and flavor.
Moderators: Fereidoon Shahidi (Memorial Univ., St. John's, Canada), and Cesarettin Alasalvar (TUBITAK Marmara Res. Ctr., Turkey).
Guest Speakers: Cyril W. Kendall (Univ. of Toronto, Canada), Karen Lapsley (Almond Board of California), Ronald B. Pegg (Univ. of Georgia), Patricia M. Kearney (The Peanut Inst, Albany), Ronald R. Eitenmiller (Univ. of Georgia), Keith Cadwallader (Univ of Illinois).
- Nut food safety: Challenges and considerations when developing controls to address pathogen contamination in nuts as well as other low water activity foods and feed.
Moderators: Michelle D. Danyluk (Univ. of Florida-CREC), and Karen G. Lapsley (Almond Board of California).
Guest Speakers: Larry Beuchat (Univ. of Georgia), Linda J. Harris (Univ. of California), Timothy H. Sanders (USDA-ARS-SAA), Paul A. Hall (AIV Microbiology & Food Safety Consultants, IL).
- Process validation and verification of current and new nut pasteurization processes.
Moderators: Cindy M. Stewart (Silliker Inc., IL), and Larry Keener (Intl. Product Safety Consultants, WA).
Guest Speakers: Erdogan Ceylan (Silliker Inc., IL), Erdal U. Tuncan (Consultant, NE), Brian Dunning (Blue Diamond Growers, CA), John W. Larkin (FDA, Summit-Argo, IL).
- Using a risk based approach, performance criteria and defined food safety objectives to determine the “right” amount of lethality for your process.
Moderators: Kathiravan Krishnamurthy (Natl. Ctr. for Food Safety and Technology, Summit Argo, IL), and Guangwei Huang (Almond Board of California).
Guest Speakers: Richard C. Whiting (Exponent, Bowie, MD), Nathan Anderson (USDA, Summit-Argo, IL), Donald W. Schaffner (Univ. of New Jersey, NJ), and Linda J. Harris (Univ. of California).
ACA Fifth Annual Conference
Maputo (Mozambique), 14-16 September 2010
The INC is planning to participate in the 5th Annual African Cashew Alliance (ACA) Conference, which will take place on September, 14-16, 2010, at the Joaquim Chissano Conference Center in Maputo, Mozambique. The conference will showcase how strategic alliances between farmers, processors, government, and development agencies can promote the African cashew sector. The program also features visits to processing facilities, nurseries and cashew farms in the Nampula Region.
www.africancashewalliance.com
New Scientific & Regulatory Issues on the INC website
Scientific Studies
Almonds
Cashews
- Tedong L, Madiraju P, Martineau LC, Vallerand D, Arnason JT, Desire DD, Lavoie L, Kamtchouing P, Haddad PS. Hydro-ethanolic extract of cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) nut and its principal compound, anacardic acid, stimulate glucose uptake in C2C12 muscle cells. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2010 Jul 5.
Cashews May Help Prevent Diabetes
According to a new study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, cashew seed extract may be a potential anti-diabetic benefits.
Researchers at the Natural Health Products and Metabolic Diseases Laboratory, Université de Montréal, and the Nutraceutical and Functional Foods Institute of Laval University, Québec, Canada, conducted in vitro tests using mouse and rat liver cells to test the effects of cashew seed extracts (CSE) on glucose uptake.
The study showed that high concentration of CSE and its active component, anacardic acid, increased glucose uptake, suggesting that CSE may be a potential anti-diabetic nutraceutical. |
Pecans
Pine nuts
Pistachios
Walnuts
General
Regulatory Issues
| MONITORING FOOD LAW AND TRADE |
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EUROPEAN UNION |
EU - Turkey Customs Union
The International Trade Committee of the European Parliament has recently approved a non-legislative report by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Metin Kazak (ALDE, Bulgaria) on the functioning of the customs union between the EU and Turkey. According to the report, “EU-Turkey trade is "at an advanced level", but to improve trade relations further, customs union mechanisms need to be made fully functional, bureaucracy simplified, and remaining tariff and non-tariff barriers removed”. All unnecessary barriers to EU-Turkey trade, such as non-recognition of certification, duplicative testing, multiple inspections, technical regulations and standards should be removed, stress MEPs. The report also lists non-tariff barriers faced by Turkish exporters, including recurrent visa problems for Turkish businessmen and lorry drivers, which restrict their movement, and Turkey's difficulty in concluding free trade agreements (FTAs) with third countries that already have FTAs with the EU. Because of the EU-Turkey customs union, third countries that have FTAs with the EU get preferential access to the Turkish market, but Turkish exporters do not have reciprocal access to their markets.
EU Parliament - Report on the Future of the Common Agricultural Policy
At its Strasbourg Plenary Session earlier this month, the European Parliament adopted a report by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) George Lyon (ALDE, UK), outlining how the EU's common agricultural policy (CAP) should be reshaped and how should it be funded after 2013. According to the report, the big challenges facing the farming world include climate change, the need for secure food supplies, food quality and business competitiveness. MEPs stressed that the funds allocated to finance the CAP must be "at least maintained during the next financial period" (from 2013). In addition, agriculture policy should not be "re-nationalized" (i.e. returned to national control) and direct payments to farmers should be fully funded from the EU budget to avoid any co-financing by governments that could erode fair competition within the single market. "A fair distribution of CAP payments (...), fair to farmers in both new and old Member States" should be the guiding principle of CAP reform, says the report. MEPs call for more objective criteria to reduce disparities in direct payments, seeing the current "hectare basis" as inappropriate, and to reflect regional diversity. The level of direct payments should be maintained for the sake of both farmers and consumers. MEPs also call for the EU to toughen its geographical indication intellectual property protection for traditional food products made in Europe, and for the CAP to help promote their sale. The high standards of food safety, environment, social legislation and animal welfare that Europe's farmers must meet should be rewarded, say MEPs. Imports from third countries should meet the same criteria with due respect for WTO rules, and traceability should be improved to allow consumers to make informed choices, they claim.
The full text of the resolution is available from the Parliament’s website at www.europarl.europa.eu
The European Commission will release its reform proposals in the autumn.
EFSA Annual Report on Pesticide Residues
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently released its Annual Report on Pesticide Residues, which provides an overview of pesticide residues in food in the EU during 2008, and assesses the exposure of European consumers to those residues through their diets. The report shows that 96.5% of the samples analyzed comply with the maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides permitted for food products in the EU. The report says that 3.5% of all analyzed samples exceed the legal MRLs; in 2007, 4.2% of pesticides exceeded the legal MRL limits. In total, more than 70 000 samples of nearly 200 different types of food were analyzed for pesticide residues. A higher incidence of MRL excess was observed in samples imported from third countries (7.6%) than from EU (2.4%). The percentage of MRL excessfor shelled and unshelled tree nuts stood at 3%. Of 166 samples of tree nuts (including e.g. hazelnuts and almonds), 2.4% were found to contain multiple residues.
EFSA has also issued its “Conclusion on the peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance zinc phosphide” and its opinion on the modification of the existing MRLs for abamectin in apricots and peaches (including nectarines).
EFSA Annual Report on Pesticide Residues
www.efsa.europa.eu
Maximum Residue Levels
The European Union has notified the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its decision to modify certain proposed MRLs for the active substance methidathion in the framework of the "Annexes of the Draft Commission Regulation amending Annexes II andIII to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Aldicarb, Bromopropylate, Chlorfenvinphos, Endosulfan, EPTC, Ethion, Fenthion, Fomesafen, Methabenzthiazuron, Methidathion, Simazine, Tetradifon and Triforine". The action will allow for additional time to prepare and submit comments on the new proposed MRLs for methidathion.
The modified proposed MRLs include a.o. the following:
Final date for comments is 17 September 2010.
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UNITED STATES |
Modification of Aflatoxin Regulations
The US Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has published an interim rule in Federal Register Vol. 75, No. 141, July 23, 2010, that modifies the aflatoxin sampling and testing regulations currently prescribed under the California, Arizona, and New Mexico pistachio marketing order, which is administered by the Administrative Committee for Pistachios. This rule streamlines the aflatoxin sampling and testing procedures under the order's rules and regulations for pistachios to be shipped for domestic human consumption while maintaining sufficient aflatoxin controls. It is expected to reduce handler operating costs by providing a uniform and consistent aflatoxin sampling and testing procedure for pistachios shipped to all market destinations.
Effective July 24, 2010; comments received by September 21, 2010 will be considered prior to confirmation as a final rule.
US AMS Pistachios Grown in California, Arizona, and New Mexico; Modification of the Aflatoxin Regulations. Federal Register Vol. 75, No. 141, Friday, July 23, 2010.
Generalized System of Preferences, 2009 Review
The Office of the US Trade Representative has recently published the results of the 2009 review of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), a program designed to promote economic growth in developing countries by providing duty-free entry for about 4800 products from 131 beneficiary countries.
As provided for under the US GSP statute, each year the USTR conducts an annual review to consider the addition, removal or restoration of eligibility for products and/or countries according to the provisions of the GSP system. These provisions include the “competitive need limitations” (CNL), which trigger the removal of duty-free treatment if imports of a covered product from a beneficiary developing country exceed certain limits. For calendar year 2009, these limits are (a) 50% of the value of total US imports of the product from all countries or (b) US$140 million. Once the president determines that a CNL has been exceeded, GSP duty-free treatment for the subject article must be terminated no later than July 1 of the next calendar year. However, CNL waivers are permitted for products that are imported in “de minimis quantities” (maximum US$19.5 million in 2009). In addition, duty-free treatment may be reinstated for products that no longer exceed the CNL.
On the basis of these provisions, the USTR has decided to grant a “de minimis waiver” for the following products:
- Dried papayas from Thailand (trade value in 2009: US$2.9 million, share of Thailand in total imports: 97.4%);
- Dried tamarinds from Thailand (trade value in 2009: US$1.8 million, share of Thailand in total imports: 69%);
- Peanuts, not roasted or cooked, in shell, from Ecuador (trade value in 2009: US$111 000, share of Ecuador in total imports: 100%).
GSP was denied for the following products:
- Kola nuts, fresh or dried, shelled from Cote d’Ivoire (trade value in 2009: US$651 000, share of Cote d’Ivoire in total imports: 48%);
- Figs, fresh or dried, whole, in immediate containers weighing with their contents 0.5 kg or less, from Turkey (trade value in 2009: US$2 million, share of Turkey in total imports: 47%);
- Tahitian limes, Persian limes other limes, fresh or dried, from Jamaica (trade value in 2009: US$0);
- Citrus fruit, fresh or dried, including kumquats, citrons and bergamots (trade value in 2009: US$645 000, share of Jamaica in total imports: 36%).
Trade Adjustment Assistance for Prunes, Denial of Petition
The US Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has published a notice in Federal Register Vol. 75 No. 136, announcing that it has denied a petition for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) for prunes and dried plums that was filed by the Prune Bargaining Association and accepted for review by the USDA on 4 May 2010.
After review, FAS determined that the import data did not meet the regulatory requirement for the most recent, official USDA full marketing year or full marketing season data. Because the petition was unable to meet this regulatory requirement, it did not qualify for certification for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010.
US FAS Trade Adjustment Assistance for Prunes and Dried Plums. Federal Register Vol. 75, No. 136, Friday, July 16, 2010.
Maximum Residue Levels, Hexythiazox in Prunes
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a regulation in Federal Register Vol. 75 No. 134 revising tolerances for combined residues of hexythiazox in or on stone fruit. The regulation revises the tolerance for residues of hexythiazox, in or on dried plums and prunes from 0.4 ppm to 1.3 ppm. The tolerance for “fruit, stone, group 12, except plum” is revised to read “fruit, stone, group 12”. The established tolerances for plum and for plum, prune, fresh are removed as these commodities are addressed by the stone fruit group tolerance. The Regulation is effective 14 July 2010.
US EPA Hexythiazox; Pesticide Tolerances in Prunes. Federal Register, Vol. 75, No. 134, Wednesday, July 14, 2010.
US Consumers Want Stronger Food Recall Powers for FDA
According to an article published on www.foodnavigator-usa.com on July 13th, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should receive full powers immediately to recall food when it threatens health and safety, according to 80 percent of respondents in a telephone survey conducted by Consumers Union Poll. According to the survey, the food safety reform legislation should give FDA the power to recall suspect foods. It would also require the agency to inspect all high-risk food processors at least once a year. At present such food processors can expect a visit once every 10 years.
Andean Trade Preference Act, Report to Congress
The US Trade Representative (USTR) has recently released its “Fifth Report to the Congress on the Operation of the Andean Trade Preference Act as Amended”.
The Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), as amended by the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) (jointly referred to as ATPA/ATPDEA), provides beneficiary countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, duty-free access to the US market for any product not specifically excluded.
According to the report, total exports from the Andean countries to the US increased from US$5 million in 1991 to US$21 million in 2009. The Andean countries’ share in total US imports from the world increased from 1 to 1.4% over the period. Meanwhile, the value of total US exports to the Andean countries grew from US$3.8 million in 1991 to US$17 million in 2009.
US Fifth Report to the Congress on the Operation of the Andean Trade Preference Act as Amended, June 30, 2010.
OTHER COUNTRIES / REGIONS
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CANADA · Maximum Residue Levels |
The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has recently invited the public to submit written comments on the proposed maximum residue limit (MRLs) for pesticides/commodities currently registered in Canada and covered by the 0.1 Parts Per Million General Maximum Residue Limit. These proposed MRLs are equivalent to, or more stringent than, the current general MRL and more accurately reflect the current use pattern.
* Pome fruits: apples, crabapples, loquats, mayhaws, oriental pears, pears, quinces.
** Stone fruits: apricots, nectarines, peaches, plumcots, plums, prune plums, sweet cherries, tart cherries.
This consultation is available for comment until 13 September 2010.
CANADA Proposed Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides/Commodities Currently Registered in Canada. 30 June 2010.
www.hc-sc.gc.ca
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INDIA - Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2010 |
The Indian Food Safety and Standards Authority has recently sent its “Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2010” to the Indian government for approval. The 674-page document sets out all food safety and standards regulations in India, divided over 10 chapters.
Some of the provisions of the Regulations include:
- Licensing/ Registration of Food Businesses (sectors with a high potential for food contamination and hazard are brought under central licensing);
- Standards for food products and food colors;
- All labeling, prohibitions, laboratory, residues & contaminants, additives related provisions have been grouped separately under respective chapters;
- In cases of notified but deferred food product standards, old standards are mentioned and will be operational till the deferment period is over.
The Food Safety and Standards, 2010, are organized as follows:
- Chapter 1: General provisions, includes title, commencement and definitions;
- Chapter 2: Food Authority and Transaction of Business, includes constitution and transaction of business for Food Authority, Central Advisory Committee, Scientific Committee and Panels (already approved/notified);
- Chapter 3: Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses (sent for notification separately);
- Chapter 4: Packaging and Labeling Regulations, includes regulations relating to packaging, labeling, manner of declaration, specific requirements, restrictions on advertisement, exemptions etc.;
- Chapter 5: Food Product Standards includes existing regulations relating to food products structured under new category/classification;
- Chapter 6: Substances added to Food, includes regulations pertaining to additives in general; carryover of additives, restrictions on use of certain substances;
- Chapter 7: Prohibition and Regulation of Sales, includes all prohibitions;
- Chapter 8: Contaminants, Toxins and Residues, includes regulations relating to limits of contaminants, toxins and residues etc;
- Chapter 9: Laboratory and Sample Analysis, includes regulations relating to referral laboratory, quantity of samples etc.;
- Chapter 10: Guarantee;
- Appendix A: Limits of Food Additives (existing PFA provisions retained);
- Appendix B: Microbiological Requirements (existing PFA provisions retained);
- Appendix C: Forms of Guarantee, declaration, certificate of analysis, report of food analyst.
The Regulations were notified to the WTO SPS Committee on 7 July 2010. Final date for comments is 5 September 2010. The notification does not indicate a proposed date of entry into force.
www.fssai.gov.in
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TAIWAN · Maximum Residue Levels |
Taiwan has notified the WTO its “Draft of Standards for Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods”, which sets a.o. the following MRLs:
Final date for comments is 6 September 2010.
RASFF NOTIFICATIONS
EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed
Weeks 27-30, 2010
Week 27
Week 28
Week 29
Week 30
Alert Notifications are released when a food or feed presenting a serious risk is on the market and when immediate action is required.
Information Notifications concern a food or feed for which a risk has been identified, but for which the other member states do not have to take immediate action, because the product has not yet reached their market.
Border Rejections concern food and feed consignments that have been tested and rejected at the external borders of the EU and the European Economic Area when a health risk was found. The notifications are transmitted to all EEA border posts in order to reinforce controls and to ensure that the rejected product does not re-enter the Community through another border post.
http://ec.europa.eu
E-mail: inc@nutfruit.org