YOUR OPINION

Are nuts fattening?

• Yes
• No
• I don’t know

 

The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) just concluded its 4th session in Izmir, Turkey, on April 30, 2010. The INC, as Official Non-Government Observer, was represented by Mr. Pino Calcagni, Chairman of the INC Scientific and Government Affairs Committee.

The main points concerning nuts and dried fruits were:

1. Maximum levels for total aflatoxins in Brazil nuts and sampling plans.
2. Revision of the code of practice for the prevention and reduction of aflatoxin contamination in tree nuts (appendix on additional measures for Brazil nuts).
3. New work project on maximum level for aflatoxins in dried figs, finalization by 2012 (annex VIII).

The results have been very positive for our industry helping the safe and healthy circulation of tree nuts and dried fruits.

1. In practice, the following tolerances for aflatoxins in Brazil nuts (inshell and shelled) have been confirmed:

• 15 ppb total for Brazil nuts destinated for further process
• 10 ppb total for Brazil nuts ready to eat

No specific tolerance was fixed for solo inshell Brazil nuts but the derogation in the analytical method, approved by an ad-hoc EU regulation, mitigates the risk of rejection considering rightly the presence of contaminant in the inedible part of the nut (shell).

2. The Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Tree Nuts has been approved.

3. The Turkish Delegation submitted a proposal for new work in order to clarify and quantify the impact of the approved Code of Practice and sustain the limit of 10 ppb total already validated by JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants) in 2008.

The INC actively participated and supported the above facts. Furthermore, the INC offered full cooperation to provide data on worldwide consumption per country and per capita, as well as to encourage researchers at any stage of the sectorial food chain.

Proposed Draft Maximum Levels for Total Aflatoxins in Brazil Nuts

Proposed Draft Revision of the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin in Tree Nuts (Additional Measures for Brazil Nuts)