New Scientific & Regulatory Issues on the INC website

Scientific Studies

Data Release

• USDA Peanut Stocks and Processing
  January 28, 2010, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)

• Oil Crops Outlook
  February 16, 2010, Economic Research Service (ERS, USDA)

• Peanut Stocks and Processing
  February 26, 2010, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
  

EU: Increased Aflatoxin Maximum Levels Published

Commission Regulation 165/2010 setting increased EU aflatoxins maximum levels for some tree nuts has been adopted by the European Commission on February 26, 2010, and published in the EU Official Journal on February 27, 2010.

Link to: Commission Regulation (EU) No 165/2010 of 26 February 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs as regards aflatoxins.

The INC specially thanks the Chairman of the Scientific and Government Affairs Committee, Mr. Pino Calcagni, and the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Julie Adams, who with the committee members have worked hard to ensure that the voice of the INC is both respected and valued, and confirms the effectiveness of the nut industry and its scientific engagement.

As from March 9, 2010, increased EU aflatoxin maximum levels will apply to almonds, apricot kernels, pistachios, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts.

The sampling plan for nuts and dried fruit has been adopted by the European Commission on March 1, 2010. Commission Regulation 178/2010 revising the sampling plan for nuts and dried fruit has been published in the EU Official Journal on March 3, 2010. As from March 13, the sampling plan will consist of 20 kg sample (tested on the basis of 2 x 10kg).

Link to: Commission Regulation (EU) No 178/2010 of 2 March 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 as regards groundnuts (peanuts), other oilseeds, tree nuts, apricot kernels, liquorice and vegetable oil.

For commodities subject to Special Conditions (Regulation EU 1152/2009), the health certificates for the following commodities may be issued according to the increased EU aflatoxin maximum levels only as from the entry into force on March 9, 2010.

NOTE: From 9 March 2010 the new levels indicated above apply to all consignments at import and to all products on the market.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 165/2010 of 26 February 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs as regards aflatoxins.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 178/2010 of 2 March 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 as regards groundnuts (peanuts), other oilseeds, tree nuts, apricot kernels, liquorice and vegetable oil.

EU: New Authorized Nutritional Claims

Commission Regulation 116/2010 of 9 February 2010 has added the following nutritional claims to the list of permitted claims stated at Regulation 1924/2006:

SOURCE OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
A claim that a food is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, and any claim likely to have the same meaning for the consumer, may only be made where the product contains at least 0,3 g alpha-linolenic acid per 100 g and per 100 kcal, or at least 40 mg of the sum of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

HIGH OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS
A claim that a food is high in omega-3 fatty acids, and any claim likely to have the same meaning for the consumer, may only be made where the product contains at least 0,6 g alpha-linolenic acid per 100 g and per 100 kcal, or at least 80 mg of the sum of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid per 100 g and per 100 kcal.

HIGH MONOUNSATURATED FAT
A claim that a food is high in monounsaturated fat, and any claim likely to have the same meaning for the consumer, may only be made where at least 45 % of the fatty acids present in the product derive from monounsaturated fat under the condition that monounsaturated fat provides more than 20 % of energy of the product.

HIGH POLYUNSATURATED FAT
A claim that a food is high in polyunsaturated fat, and any claim likely to have the same meaning for the consumer, may only be made where at least 45 % of the fatty acids present in the product derive from polyunsaturated fat under the condition that polyunsaturated fat provides more than 20 % of energy of the product.

HIGH UNSATURATED FAT
A claim that a food is high in unsaturated fat, and any claim likely to have the same meaning for the consumer may only be made where at least 70 % of the fatty acids present in the product derive from unsaturated fat under the condition that unsaturated fat provides more than 20 % of energy of the product.’

These nutritional claims shall be authorized as from March 2, 2010.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 116/2010 of 9 February 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the list of nutrition claims.

EU: New Organic Logo Elected

The European Commission officially announced the new organic logo on February 8, 2010.

From July 1, 2010, the new logo will be obligatory on all pre-packaged organic products that have been produced in the European Union. It will remain optional for imported products.

FVO Report: Aflatoxins in Peanuts from India

The Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) has recently published the outcomes of a mission carried out in India on October 2009 to assess the control system in place to control aflatoxin contamination in peanuts.

According to the FVO inspection team, the Indian competent authorities and industry have made significant efforts to improve the controls and conditions for peanut production and export in India, including a positive response to recommendations in the previous report. Some continuing improvements are required to ensure full compliance with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) trade notice. The report provides a number of recommendations to the Indian Authorities to address the noted deficiencies.

Indian peanuts are currently covered by Commission Regulation 669/2009, considered to be “high risk products”. Consequently since 25 January 2010, 10% of the consignments imported into the EU are submitted to an identity control and an aflatoxin control at Designated Points of Entry. In addition, EU importers must pre-notify the authorities at the Designated Points of Entry of the arrival of the consignments of Indian peanuts at least 1 working day before the arrival of the consignment. To do this pre-notification, importers must use the Common Entry Document.

According to the European Federation of the Trade in Dried fruit, Edible Nut, Processed fruit and vegetable, et.al (FRUCOM), if the European Commission receives further guarantees from the Indian authorities on the implementation of such improvements, Indian peanuts could be de-listed from the list of “high risk products” and no longer be submitted to reinforced controls.

FVO Final report of a mission carried out in India from 01 to 12 October 2009 in order to assess the control system in place to control aflatoxin contamination in peanuts intended for export to the European Union and to follow up the recommendations of mission DG SANCO 7633/2005.

SCIENTIFIC NEWS

Daily Consumption of Walnuts May Improve Endothelial Function in Diabetics

According to a new study published in the journal Diabetes Care (February issue), eating 56 g (2 oz) of walnuts every day may improve cardiovascular health in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at Yale University Prevention Research Center compared the effects of two different diets on endothelial function. 24 adults were randomly assigned to follow either an eight-week diet of 56 g of walnuts per day as part of a normal diet, or an eight-week normal diet without walnuts. After 2 months washout period, participants reversed their 8-week diets.

The results of the study showed that the walnut-enriched diet improved significantly the endothelial function, ehcihc measures the capacity of blood vessels to dilate and increase flow, and may indicate the overall cardiovascular risk.