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Scientific Studies

Regulatory News


Harmonization of Pesticide MRLs

Regulation 396/2005 establishing the maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides permitted in products of animal or vegetable origin intended for human or animal consumption shall be fully applicable on 1st September 2008. All MRL’s will apply EU wide, removing the trade problems that were the result of the situation whereby Member States could set their own national MRL’s in the absence of Community MRL’s.Article 49 sets transitional measures for long shelf life products such as canned fruits and vegetables, dried fruits and edible nuts. According to these measures, national or former EU MRLs could still be applied after 1 September 2008 on imported products instead of the new harmonized MRLs if the importer can demonstrate that the product complied with the maximum levels that were applicable at the time of harvest (or post harvest treatment), or purchase, or import into the EU.All pesticide MRLs, set in Annexes II and III (part A and B), can be found at http://ec.europa.eu.

Update: EU Marketing Standards for Fruit and Vegetables

A draft Commission Regulation amending Commission Regulation 1580/2007, which deals among others with marketing standards for fruits and vegetables, was put to an “indicative vote” in the last DG Agriculture Management Committee meeting held on 22nd July 2008.The draft suppresses 26 EU specific marketing standards for fruit and vegetables, including the EU specific marketing standards for walnuts in shell and hazelnuts in shell. Products not covered by any EU specific marketing standard shall conform to the general marketing standard as set out in Part A of Annex I of the draft Regulation.According to the draft, the following products shall not be required to conform to the general marketing standard:

Brazil nuts and cashews are not covered by the general marketing standard.The draft simplifies provisions relating to origin marking of mixes of fruits and vegetables (net weight ≤ 5 kg) composed of products originating in more than one Member State or third country. In this case, the full names of the countries of origin may be replaced with one of the following expressions, as appropriate:

The proposed regulation will be submitted for adoption shortly. Once adopted, it is expected to be published by 1st January 2009 and to enter into force by 1st July 2009.

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No …/.. of amending Regulation (EC) No 1580/2007 laying down implementing rules of Council Regulations (EC) No 2200/96, (EC) No 2201/96 and (EC) No 1182/2007 in the fruit and vegetable sector for, as regards marketing standards.


USDA Sets New Country of Origin Labelling

The United States Department of Agriculture has set new country of origin labeling rules for certain foods, including peanuts, pecans, macadamias and other perishable agricultural commodities. On August 1, 2008, the USDA released the interim final rule for mandatory country of origin labeling, the implementation date for which is September 30, 2008, but won’t apply to commodities produced or packaged before that date.The USDA’s 2008 Farm Bill adds macadamia nuts and pecans which weren’t included in previous revisions.

USDA is seeking industry comments, which can be submitted on or before September 30, 2008, at www.regulations.gov.

US Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling of Beef, Pork, Lamb, Chicken, Goat Meat, Perishable Agricultural Commodities, Peanuts, Pecans, Ginseng, and Macadamia Nuts. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, 7 CFR Part 65, Docket No. AMS-LS-07-0081, RIN 0581-AC26)

FDA Reviews Allergen Advisory Labelling

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is developing a long-term strategy to assist manufacturers on the use of advisory labeling of allergens in food. The agency has scheduled a public hearing on September 16, 2008. FDA is calling for comments and information on current labels, consumer interpretation and the most effective wording. Written submissions must be sent by January 14, 2009.

www.cfsan.fda.gov


Updated GSFA Online Database

The updated version of theCodex General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) Online Database, incorporating the outcomes of the 31st Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, was recently published on the Codex web site in English, French, Spanish and Chinese. The database provides, in a searchable format, all the provisions for food additives that have been adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Provisions are searchable by food additive, by functional class and by food category.