YOUR OPINION

Are nuts fattening?

• Yes
• No
• I don’t know

 

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.

		CURRENT EU AFLATOXIN MAXIMUM LEVELS		EU AFLATOXIN MAXIMUM LEVELS APPLICABLE AS FROM MARCH 9, 2010
		Aflatoxin B1 (µg/kg)	Aflatoxin Total (µg/kg)	Aflatoxin B1 (µg/kg)	Aflatoxin Total (µg/kg)
ALMONDS, APRICOT KERNELS & PISTACHIOS	For further processing	5	10	12	15
	Ready-to-eat	2	4	8	10
HAZELNUTS & BRAZIL NUTS	For further processing	5	10	8	15
	Ready-to-eat	2	4	5	10
OTHER NUTS	For further processing	5	10	5	10
	Ready-to-eat	2	4	2	4
DRIED FRUIT	For further processing	5	10	5	10
	Ready-to-eat	2	4	2	4
PEANUTS	For further processing	8	15	8	15
	Ready-to-eat	2	4	2	4

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.

PRODUCT (AND PRODUCTS DERIVED THEREOF)	ORIGIN	CN CODES
ALMONDS	USA	0802 11 0802 12 2008 19 13 2008 19 93 0813 50
BRAZIL NUTS IN SHELL	BRAZIL	0801 21 00 0813 50
HAZELNUTS	TURKEY	0802 21 00 0802 22 00 2008 19 1106 30 90 0813 50 2007 10 2007 99
PISTACHIOS	IRAN	0802 50 00 2008 19 13 2008 19 93
	TURKEY	0802 50 00 2008 19 1106 30 90 0813 50 2007 10 2007 99

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.