|
|
|
|
EFSA Technical Meeting on Health Claims
|
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently organized a technical meeting with stakeholders on recent developments related to health claims. The INC participated in the meeting, held in Parma, June 1st, 2010, represented by Dr. Cameon Ivarsson, member of the Scientific and Government Affairs Committee.
The objective of the meeting was to provide an update on EFSA’s health claims evaluations and to have an exchange of views between experts from food industry, Member States, European Commission, NDA Panel members and EFSA staff.
Claims linked to nuts:
ID No. |
Linked to |
Deadline for assessment |
1129 |
Nuts and heart health |
31 December 2011 |
1130 |
Nuts and weight management |
31 December 2011 |
1131 |
Almonds |
31 December 2011 |
1294 |
Peanuts, peanut butter and oil |
31 December 2011 |
|
| Source: ESA |
EFSA Favourable Health Claim Evaluations to Date:
Food/constituent |
Health relationship |
Vitamins, minerals |
Cardiovascular, brain, gut, immune, bone, dental, antioxidant, metabolism |
Protein, carbohydrate |
Muscle, bone, energy |
Fatty acids |
Brain, cardiovascular, vision |
Fibre(s) |
Gut, cardiovascular |
Others substances –phytosterols/stanols, chewing gum, meal replacements, tomato extract |
Cardiovascular, dental, weight management |
|
| Source: ESA |
As reported in the last EFSA Stakeholder Consultative Platform meeting, the next publication of EFSA opinions on health claims is foreseen for September 2010, while the deadline for the evaluation of all submitted claims is set for December 2011.
The information about the meeting and all presentations are available at:
www.efsa.europa.eu
|
|
|
|
|
|
CODEX Alimentarius Commission
Geneva (Switzerland), 5-9 July 2010
|
The INC is participating in the 33rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, 5-9 July 2010.
The Commission will discuss the Proposed Draft Revision of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin in Tree Nuts (additional measures for Brazil nuts); Maximum Levels for Total Aflatoxins in Dried Figs; the Proposed Draft Revision of the Codex Classification of Foods and Animal Feeds - Proposals for Tree Nuts, Herbs and Spices; and amendments to the Guidelines on Nutrition and Health Claims as regards saturated fats and cholesterol.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNECE Working Party on Agricultural Quality Standards
Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce
Geneva (Switzerland), 29 June - 2 July 2010
|
The INC is attending the Fifty-seventh Session of the Specialized Section on Standardization of Dry and Dried Produce, to be held in Geneva, from June 29 to July 2nd, 2010.
Among others, the agenda includes the following items:
-
Review of UNECE recommendations:
- Inshell Macadamia Nuts
- Macadamia Kernels
- Pistachio Kernels and Peeled Pistachio Kernels
- Hazelnut Kernels
- Dates
- Revision of UNECE standards:
- Dried Pears
- Dried Apples
- Cashew Kernels
- Inshell Walnuts
- Draft UNECE explanatory brochure for Walnut Kernels
- Sampling and inspection procedure for dry and dried produce
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
America's Leading Health Experts Establish Food for Your Whole Life
|
Mr. Jack Mariani, Chairman of the INC, has recently participated in the 1st Food for your Whole Life Symposium, held in New York, June 6-7, 2010, and hosted by famous Dr. Oz, Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University, who became famous for his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
The symposium brought together internationally recognized researchers, clinicians, educators and health experts who presented the latest research on age-based nutrition for optimal health. Dr. Joan Sabaté, Chair of the Department of Nutrition in the School of Public Health in Loma Linda University, gave a presentation about nutrition during transition.
Tree nuts were highly mentioned during the 2 days of meetings attended by almost 2,000 doctors, dieticians and nutritionists, and 60 members of the media.
Food for Your Whole Life was sponsored by the California Walnut Commission, in partnership with HealthCorps, American Institute for Cancer Research and New York State Dietetic Association.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Building the Future Together
|
Ms. Goretti Guasch, Executive Director of the INC, presented a report on the activities carried out within the 2009 Strategic Plan of Actions at the General Assembly held on May 23rd, 2010, in Beijing, China, highlighting projects on marketing, scientific and nutrition, which are the core activities of the INC.
Since February 2009, the INC is participating in the EU-funded project MYCORED, a large collaborative project aimed to address global strategies for mycotoxin reduction. The INC participates in assessing the efficacy and safety of processing procedures for reducing mycotoxins; the development of a training video for mycotoxin sampling; a Delphi study on advances on reduction of mycotoxins, and an economic evaluation of the impact of mycotoxin contamination. Within the economic evaluation task, the INC will publish a book on “Nuts and Dried Fruits. Global Statistical Review”. The book gathers worldwide statistics on production, imports, exports and consumption trends of nuts and dried fruits, from 2004 to 2009.
The INC has also participated in industry conferences such as the Australian Nut Industry Council Conference (Melbourne, 2009), the International Dried Grape Conference (Hamburg, 2009); the 1st International Seminar on Raisins (Chile, 2009); the 24th European Dried Fruit Meeting of the Waren Verein (Hamburg, 2009); and the 1st Golden Nut Cashew Festival (Vietnam, 2010). The objective to participate in these meetings is to monitor the key issues affecting the nut and dried fruit industry, from regulatory issues to market trends, while interacting with the industry players in order to develop consistent approaches to risk issues.
Research and communication are essential for our industry. With this is mind, the INC continues to spread the positive role of nuts and dried fruits on health worldwide, promoting scientific studies, education and dissemination. In this sense, the INC participated in the 3rd International Congress on Food and Nutrition (Turkey, 2009); funded the NREF Session on Health Benefits of nuts in Bangkok (October, 2009), within the frame of the 19th International congress on Nutrition; and organized a Symposium on Nuts and Cardiovascular Health this past March in Barcelona, within the frame of the 2nd congress of the Federation of Societies of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics. For October 2011, the INC is planning to organize a Scientific Symposium within the frame of the 11th European Nutrition Conference (Madrid, October 2011).
The INC Symposium “Nuts and Cardiovascular Health” organized in Barcelona, March 2010, was co-chaired by Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó (University Rovira i Virgili, Spain), member of the INC Scientific Committee, and Dr. Emilio Ros (Hospital of Barcelona, Spain). The Symposium was held under the umbrella of the 2nd Congress of the Federation of Societies of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics, with a participation of over 1,500 participants including researchers, health influencers and specialized media.
Finally, Ms. Guasch presented the video with interviews of the keynote speakers of the INC symposium “Nuts and Cardiovascular Health”, held in Barcelona, March 4th, 2010, within the frame of the II Congress of the Federation of Societies of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics (FESNAD). The INC 90-minute Symposium gathered leading nut researchers from Europe, the United States and Australia, and provided the opportunity to share information on the health benefits of nuts with a large group of over 200 people, including health influencers, researchers and specialized media. The session reviewed the main scientific studies that have examined the health benefits of nuts consumption in the last 5 years. The summary of the speeches and interviews to scientists and industry representatives are available at INC’s website www.nutfruit.org/incsymposium.
Ms. Guasch's presentation "Building the Future Together" is available at www.nutfruit.org/china-2010.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INC Report: 2009 RASFF Notifications for Nuts and Dried Fruits
|
The INC has recently published a report on the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications for nuts and dried fruits in 2009.
The RASFF is a tool to exchange information within EU Member States about measures taken responding to risks detected in relation to food or feed. The RASFF list of members includes the 27 EU Member States, the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.
The INC collects and classifies all alert notifications published in the RASFF portal website: by product, country of origin, notifying country and type of notification.
The report provides the following information:
- Notifications for nuts and dried fruits classified by:
- Product
- Type of notification
- Country of origin
- Notifying country
- Reason for notifying
- Summary of total notifications for mycotoxins
- General overviews: edible nuts and dried fruits
- 2007-2008-2009 alerts comparison
This brochure is part of the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) project MycoRed (Novel Integrated Strategies for Worldwide Mycotoxin Reduction in Food and Feed Chains).
Copies of the Report may be provided to INC members upon request subject to availability. Please contact us at +34 977 331 416 or e-mail inc@nutfruit.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
INC 2009/10 Annual Report of Activities
|
The INC has recently released its annual report of activities. It provides an annual overview and detailed information on INC activities and projects carried out from 2009 to May 2010.
The report was released to the participants of the XXIX World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress in Beijing, May 21-23, 2010.
The report is available in multiple formats – print, CD-Rom and online. Copies may be provided to INC members upon request. Please contact us at +34 977 331 416 or e-mail inc@nutfruit.org. |
|
|
|
|
|
| New Scientific & Regulatory Issues on the INC website
Scientific Studies
|
|
|
|
|
| |
SCIENTIFIC NEWS
Nuts Can Lower Cholesterol, New Evidence
According to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine on May 10, 2010, consumption of nuts improves blood lipid levels and reduces LDL cholesterol.
Joan Sabaté, MD, DrPH, Chair of the Department of Nutrition in the School of Public Health in Loma Linda University, California, and his fellow researchers pooled data from 25 nut consumption trials conducted in 7 countries among 583 men and women with high or normal cholesterol levels.
With a mean daily consumption of 67 grams (2.4 ounces) of nuts, the total cholesterol concentration fell by 5.1 percent and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL “bad” cholesterol) fell by 7.4 percent. Triglyceride levels were also reduced by 10.2 percent in subjects with high levels of those blood fats. Different types of nuts had similar effects on blood lipid levels.
The study found that the effects of nut consumption were significantly modified by LDL cholesterol, body mass index, and diet type: the lipid-lowering effects of nut consumption were greatest among subjects with high baseline LDL and with low body mass index and among those consuming Western diets.
Dr. Sabaté is a leading expert in the field of nut nutrition and health. He was the first to report the cholesterol-lower effects of nuts and its beneficial properties on heart health. His report on the beneficial effects of nuts, published in 1993, led to other studies that prompted the US Food and Drug Administration health claim for nuts.
Sabaté J, Oda K, Ros E. Nut consumption and blood lipid levels: a pooled analysis of 25 intervention trials. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(9):821-827.
|
|
|
|
EU · Monitoring Acrylamide Levels in Food
Commission Recommendation of 2 June 2010 on the monitoring of acrylamide levels in food by Member States, has been published in OJ L 137. The Recommendation stipulates that the three year monitoring programme (2007-2009) for acrylamide in certain foodstuffs (cfr. Commission Recommendation 2007/331v of 3 May 2007) should be continued, and should not be restricted in time.
The Recommendation lays down a number of modifications to the monitoring programme, e.g. as regards the classification of foodstuffs. In addition, the Recommendation stipulates that Member States shall report their monitoring results once a year to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which will ensure the compilation of the data into a database.
Commission Recommendation of 2 June 2010 on the monitoring of acrylamide levels in food
EU · Imported Organic Products Marketed in the EU
Commission Regulation 471/2010 on the list of third countries from which certain agricultural products obtained by organic production must originate to be marketed within the EU has been published in OJ L 134.
The Regulation modifies the list of third countries whose system of production and control measures for the organic production of agricultural products are recognised as equivalent to those of the EU, and can thus market agricultural products obtained by organic production as “organic” in the EU (cfr. Annex III to Commission Regulation 1235/2008). The Regulation introduces the following modifications:
- The Australian authorities have informed the Commission that the National Association of Sustainable Agriculture (NASAA) has undergone a restructure and changed its name. The list of control bodies and authorities in Australia is therefore modified to include NASAA Certified Organic (NCO) (www.nasaa.com.au);
- Japan submitted a request to the Commission to be included in the list provided for in Annex III to Commission Regulation 1235/2008. The Commission has now found that the rules governing production and controls of organic production in Japan are equivalent to those of the EU. Japan is therefore included in the list provided for in Annex III to Commission Regulation 1235/2008, with a list of specifications (Annex).
The new Regulation enters into force on 8 June, 2010.
Commission Regulation (EU) No 471/2010 of 31 May 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008, as regards the list of third countries from which certain agricultural products obtained by organic production must originate to be marketed within the Union.
EU FVO Report · Azerbaijan Aflatoxins in Hazelnuts
The FVO inspection team carried out a mission in Azerbaijan from 17 to 25 November 2009 in order to assess the control system in place to control aflatoxin contamination in hazelnuts intended for export to the European Union.
Objectives:
- To verify whether control systems are in place to control aflatoxin contamination in hazelnuts intended for export to the EU within specified EU contaminant limits, complying with or being at least equivalent to Commission Regulation 1881/2006.
- The FVO team visited the following places:
- 4 Competent Authority (3 centrals; 1 regional);
- 3 laboratories;
- 4 hazelnut farmers;
- 3 Hazelnut processing and export companies.
Outcomes:
- Since the RASFF notifications in 2005 and 2006, the competent authority has raised awareness of all stakeholders.
- Hazelnut farmers and processing companies have generally implemented good agricultural practices and good manufacturing practices.
- However, the official control system set up for hazelnuts intended for export to the EU is not adequate due to the lack of cooperation and coordination between the competent authorities, the important deficiencies identified in relation to laboratory performance and sampling, and the limited knowledge on EU requirements.
FVO Final report of a mission carried out in Azerbaijan from 17 to 25 November 2009 in order to assess the control system in place to control aflatoxin contamination in hazelnuts intended for export to the European Union.
EU · Active Substances
Penconazole
Commission Directive 2010/34 amending Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC as regards an extension of the use of the active substance penconazole, has been published in OJ L 134.
The Directive stipulates that, in the light of new information submitted by the notifier of the substance and a new assessment carried out by the Rapporteur Member State (Germany), it is no longer necessary to restrict the use of penconazole to greenhouses (as laid down in Directive 91/414/EEC as amended by Directive 2009/77/EC). The Directive therefore modifies the specific provisions regarding penconazole to read as follows: “Only uses as fungicides may be authorised”.
At the same time, however, the Directive requires that the notifier submit further information on the fate and behavior of the soil metabolite CGA179944 in acidic soils.
Member States shall apply the provisions necessary to comply with this Directive from 1 July 2010.
Commission Directive 2010/34/EU of 31 May 2010 amending Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC as regards an extension of the use of the active substance penconazole.
Triflumizole and Metalaxyl
- Commission Directive 2010/27 amending Council Directive 91/414 to include triflumizole as active substance has been published in OJ L 104. The Directive includes triflumizole in Annex I of Council Directive 91/414, thereby ensuring that in all Member States the authorisations of plant protection products containing this active substance may be granted in accordance with the provisions of that Directive. The Commission Directive specifies that only uses as fungicide in greenhouses on artificial substrates may be authorised. This new Directive will enter into force on 1 July 2010.
Commission Directive 2010/27/EU of 23 April 2010 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include triflumizole as active substance.
- Commission Directive 2010/28 amending Council Directive 91/414 to include metalaxyl as active substance has been published in OJ L 104. The Directive includes metalaxyl in Annex I of Council Directive 91/414, thereby ensuring that in all Member States the authorisations of plant protection products containing this active substance may be granted in accordance with the provisions of that Directive. The Commission Directive specifies that only uses as fungicide may be authorised. This new Directive will enter into force on 1 July 2010.
Commission Directive 2010/28/EU of 23 April 2010 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include metalaxyl as active substance.
1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene and Cyflumetofen
Commission Decision 2010/244 recognising in principle the completeness of the dossiers submitted for detailed examination in view of the possible inclusion of 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene and cyflumetofen in Annex I to Council Directive 91/414 (active substances authorised for incorporation in plant protection products), has been published in OJ L 107.
The Decision stipulates that the dossiers concerning the active substances, which were submitted to the Commission and the Member States with a view to obtaining the inclusion of those substances in Annex I to Directive 91/414, satisfy in principle the data and information requirements set out in Annexes II and III to that Directive.
The rapporteur Member State (the Netherlands) will examine the dossiers, and will communicate to the Commission the conclusions of its examinations, accompanied by any recommendations on the inclusion or non-inclusion in Annex I to Directive 91/414 by 30 April 2011 at the latest.
Commission Decision of 26 April 2010 recognising in principle the completeness of the dossiers submitted for detailed examination in view of the possible inclusion of 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene and cyflumetofen in Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC.
US - MONTENEGRO · Stabilization and Association Agreement
Council and Commission Decision 2010/224 on the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Montenegro has been published in OJ L 108. The Decision approves the Stabilisation and Association Agreement which was signed by the EU and Montenegro in October 2007. This Agreement will enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the EU and Montenegro notify each other that they have approved the Agreement.
The Agreement foresees i.a. the liberalisation of trade in agricultural goods between both parties. Of note are the following provisions:
- Agricultural products originating in Montenegro and imported into the EU
The Agreement stipulates that the EU shall abolish all quantitative restrictions, customs duties and charges and all measures having equivalent effect, on imports of agricultural products originating in Montenegro, from the date of entry into force of the Agreement. For those products for which the Common Customs Tariff provides for the application of an ad valorem and a specific customs duty, the elimination applies only to the ad valorem part of the duty.
- Agricultural products originating in the EU and imported into Montenegro
Montenegro shall abolish all quantitative restrictions and measures having equivalent effect, on imports of agricultural products originating in the EU. As far as customs duties are concerned, the following provisions apply:
- Duty-free access for unlimited quantities from the date of entry into force of the Agreement for the following products:
Almonds (in shell and shelled), hazelnuts (in shell and shelled), walnuts (in shell and shelled), chestnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, areca, cola and pecans, and pinenuts, dried grapes (currants, sultanas and other), dried tropical fruits (papayas, tamarinds, cashew apples, lychees, jackfruit, sapodillo plums, passion fruit, carambola, pitahaya), and mixtures of nuts or dried fruits.
- Customs duties for fresh and dried figs and for dried apricots, prunes, apples, peaches (including nectarines) and pears will be eliminated according to the following schedule:
- On the date of entry into force of the Agreement, the import duty will be reduced to 80% of the customs duties;
- On 1 January of the first year following the date of entry into force of the Agreement, the import duty will be reduced to 60% of the customs duties;
- On 1 January of the second year following the date of entry into force of the Agreement, the import duty will be reduced to 40% of the customs duties;
- On 1 January of the third year following the date of entry into force of the Agreement, the import duty will be reduced to 20% of the customs duties;
- On 1 January of the fourth year following the date of entry into force of the Agreement, the import duty will be reduced to 0% of the customs duties.
Of note are the following provisions:
- Safeguard clause concerning trade in agricultural and fishery products: If imports of products originating in one party cause serious disturbance to the markets or to their domestic regulatory mechanisms in the other party, both parties shall enter into consultations immediately to find an appropriate solution. Pending such solution, the party concerned may take the appropriate measures it deems necessary;
- Geographical indications: Montenegro shall provide protection for the geographical indications registered in the EU under Council Regulation 510/2006 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs. Geographical indications of Montenegro shall be eligible for registration in the Community under the conditions set out in that Regulation.
Council and Commission Decision of 29 March 2010 on the conclusion of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Montenegro, of the other part (2010/224/EU, Euratom).
US · Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the US
The US Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced, in Federal Register Vol. 75 No. 81, that it plans to review the “Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States”.
The purpose of the review will be to determine whether the Standards should be continued without change, amended, or rescinded, to minimize the impacts on small entities. Written comments, views, opinions, and other information regarding the impact the Standards have on small businesses are invited. Comments must be sent on or before 28 June 2010.
US Notice of review and request for comments: Minimum Quality and Handling Standards for Domestic and Imported Peanuts Marketed in the United States. Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 28, 2010 / Rules and Regulations.
US · FDA/NIH to Streamline Online Food Safety Reporting
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have launched a new online platform for the reporting and monitoring of food safety, which is to provide “greater and easier access” to online food safety reporting. The new site provides a more user-friendly platform for reporting those foods that have the potential to cause adverse health consequences or death in people or animals, whether by contamination or the presence of undeclared allergens. It will eventually lead to an integrated system in which one report of a safety incident will be communicated to all interested federal agencies.
FDA is seeking comments from industry on its new draft document regarding the Reportable Food Registry, which was implemented in September last year. The document is intended to provide further guidance to industry on reportable foods and how to submit reports, and addresses some of the inquiries that the agency has received from industry since the Registry has been in use.
The Safety Reporting Portal can be accessed at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov.
Reportable Food Registry: www.fda.gov.
US · Pesticide Tolerances for Difenoconazole
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a final rule in Federal Register Vol. 75 No. 81 establishing tolerances for residues of the fungicide difenoconazole in or on a number of plant products (effective 28 April 2010). The rule establishes i.a. the following tolerances for residues of difenoconazole:
- Almond hulls: 7 ppm;
- Raisins: 6 ppm;
- Tree nuts (group 14*): 0.03 ppm;
- Pistachio: 0.03 ppm.
* Includes almond (Prunus dulcis), beech nut (Fagus spp.), Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa), butternut (Juglans cinerea), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), chestnut (Castanea spp.), chinquapin (Castanea pumila), filbert (hazelnut), (Corylus spp.), hickory nut (Carya spp.), macadamia nut (bush nut) (Macadamia spp.), pecan (Carya illinoensis), walnut, black and English (Persian) (Juglans spp.).
US Final Rule, Difenoconazole Pesticide Tolerances. Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 81 / Wednesday, April 28, 2010 / Rules and Regulations.
Chile · Updated Levels for Mycotoxins in Ready-to-eat Foods
Chile has notified “Modificación del Artículo 169 del Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos, Decreto Supremo N° 977/96 del Ministerio de Salud” (Amendment to Article 169 of Supreme Decree No. 977/96 of the Ministry of Health: Chilean Food Health Regulation), which seeks to update the parameters for mycotoxins in ready to eat foods.
The document proposes to modify the Chilean Food Health Regulation as follows:
Current maximum levels for mycotoxins |
Proposed modifications |
Total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): 5 ppb
Aflatoxin M1: 0.05 ppb
Zearalenone: 200 ppb |
Total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): 5 µg/kg (ppb)
Aflatoxin M: 0.5ųg/kg (ppb)
Zearalenone: 200 ųg/kg (ppb)
Patulin: 50 ųg/kg (ppb)
Ocratoxin: 5 ųg/kg (ppb)
Deoxinivalenol: 750 ųg/kg (ppb)
Fumonisins: 1000 ųg/kg (ppb) |
The proposed date of publication and entry into force of the regulation is 20 July 2010.
Amendment to Article 169 of Supreme Decree No. 977/96 of the Ministry of Health: Chilean Food Health Regulation (in Spanish).
Japan and China Sign Food Safety Pack
Officials from Japan and China have recently reached a bilateral agreement to improve food safety standards. Under the pact, authorities from both states are permitted to inspect one another’s processing facilities when concerns are raised over the safety of food imports. The document follows the 2007/08 dumplings scandal when 10 Japanese fell ill after eating pesticide-tainted dumplings imported from China. The countries have pledged to hold annual meetings and will form an action plan on food safety to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
Qatar · Standard for Unshelled Almonds
Qatar has notified to the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade of the World Trade Organization (WTO) a draft technical regulation specifying the requirements stated in the Gulf standard for unshelled almond. The regulation specifies requirements regarding the definitions of the product, quality, sampling, methods of testing, transportation and storage and labeling. Deadline for comments is 26 June 2010.
A copy of the Draft Regulation is available from the INC Secretariat upon request.
|
|
|
|
RASFF Notifications
EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed
Weeks 17-21, 2010
INFORMATION NOTIFICATIONS
Country of origin |
Reason for notifying |
Total notifications
Weeks 17-21, 2010 |
Total notifications
Weeks 17-21, 2009 |
India |
Undeclared sulphite in raisins |
1 |
0 |
Italy |
Sulphite in yellow raisins in nut and dried fruit mixture |
1 |
0 |
Togo |
Aflatoxins in peanuts |
1 |
0 |
Turkey |
Yeast infestion in dried apricots |
1 |
0 |
Too high content of sulphites in dried apricots |
1 |
0 |
BORDER REJECTIONS
Country of origin |
Reason for notifying |
Total notifications
Weeks 17-21, 2010 |
Total notifications
Weeks 17-21, 2009 |
Argentina |
Aflatoxins in peanuts |
4 |
8 |
China |
Aflatoxins in peanuts |
9 |
3 |
Incorrect labelling on peanut kernels |
1 |
0 |
Expired health certificate for peanuts |
1 |
1 |
Insects in raisins |
1 |
0 |
India |
Bad hygienic state of cashew nuts |
1 |
0 |
Aflatoxins in peanuts |
1 |
0 |
Iran |
Aflatoxins in pistachios |
14 |
3 |
Iraq |
Insects in dates |
1 |
0 |
Turkey |
Aflatoxins in pistachios |
2 |
3 |
Aflatoxins in hazelnuts |
1 |
10 |
USA |
Aflatoxins in Almonds |
3 |
3 |
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