Sampling and Analysis

The specific content and specific arrangements for the performance of official controls as regards contaminants in food

• Member States shall submit to the Commission control plans on contaminants, as a part of multi-annual national control plan (according to Article 109 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625) as defined in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/931 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/932.

• The compiled document summarises legal requirements for control plans on contaminants.      

• Guidance on the implementation of the rules and practical arrangements for the performance of the official controls as regards contaminants in food.

• Member States shall submit control plans on contaminants by 31 March of each year to the Commission using templates for the number of samples and for the justification of the sample selection.

Sampling and analysis

Provisions for the sampling and analysis for the official control of the maximum levels for contaminants have been laid down as follows:

• For the control of levels of mycotoxins: Commission Regulation (EC) 401/2006

• For the control of levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin, 3-MCPD and benzo(a)pyrene in foodstuffs: Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007

• For the control of levels of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in certain foodstuffs: Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/644 of 5 April 2017 laying down methods of sampling and analysis for the control of levels of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in certain foodstuffs and repealing Regulation (EU) No 589/2014

• For the control of levels of nitrates: Commission Regulation (EC) 1882/2006

• For the control of perfluoroalkyl substances : Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1428

Guidance documents

• Guidelines for harmonised risk management approaches and enforcement action in cases of incidents involving food products containing genotoxic carcinogens

• In this Regulation reference is made to the Guidance Document on the Estimation of LOD and LOQ for Measurements in the Field of Contaminants in Feed and Food and a Guidance Document on Measurement Uncertainty for Laboratories performing PCDD/F and PCB Analysis using Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry which have been elaborated by the European Reference Laboratories in the field of contaminants in feed and food.

• Guidance document on identification of mycotoxins and plant toxins in food and feed

• Guidance for the control of ergot sclerotia in cereals to verify the compliance with the maximum level established in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006

• Report on the relationship between analytical results, measurement uncertainty, recovery factors and the provisions of EU Food and Feed legislation.

• In order to assist the competent authorities on the official control of aflatoxin contamination in food products which are subject to Commission Regulation (EU) 884/2014, a Guidance document for competent authorities for the control of compliance with EU legislation on aflatoxins has been elaborated. This document is also applicable for the control of aflatoxins in food products not subject to Commission Regulation (EU) 884/2014.

• The Guidance document for the implementation of Commission Regulation (EU) 519/2014 provides guidance for sampling of lots, in particular for the sampling of large lots and silos for the control of mycotoxins for the implementation of the provisions provided for in Regulation (EC) 401/2006 as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 519/2014.

• The Guidance of sampling of whole fishes of different size and/or weight provides guidance on the sampling of fishes of different size and/or weight for the analysis of metals, dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs, non-dioxin like PCBs and perfluoroalkylsubstances in food.

• The EURL Guidance Document on Analytical Parameters for the Determination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Food and Feed provides guidance on analytical parameters for the determination of selected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food and feed was developed within the network of the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food, the respective National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) of EU member states and international experts in the field of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) analysis. Its Annex provides Examples of Methodology for the Determination of PFAS in Food and Feed.