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Food Safety

Maximum levels of aflatoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1) are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006.

Provisions for methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of mycotoxins including aflatoxins are laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006.

Safeguard Regulation as regards aflatoxins

Special conditions governing certain foodstuffs imported from certain third countries due to contamination risks of these products by aflatoxins are laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793.

The lists of Border control posts (BCPs) and of control points other than BCPs designated for official controls on certain food and feed of non-animal origin for the application of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 are available here.

In order to assist the competent authorities on the official control of aflatoxin contamination in food products which are subject to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, a guidance document "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 the safeguard Regulation.

This guidance document is currently reviewed in order to be adapted further to the application as of 14 December 2019 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council and of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793

Approval of pre-export control on aflatoxins in almonds from US

Article 73 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (ex-Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004) provides that pre-export checks carried out by a third country on feed and food immediately prior to export to the Union with a view of verifying that the exported products comply with the Union requirements may be approved.

Such an EU approval of pre-export controls has as consequence that these pre-export controls replace or reduce the documentary, identity and physical controls at import into the EU. An approval of pre-export checks was granted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/949

Scientific opinions:

The Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) adopted on 23 September 1994 an opinion on toxicological safety of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1.

In addition, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has adopted on 3 February 2004 an opinion related to aflatoxin B1 as undesirable substance in animal feed.

EFSA adopted on 29 January 2007 an opinion related to the potential increase of consumer health risk by a possible increase of the existing maximum levels for aflatoxins in almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios and derived products.

EFSA adopted on 16 June 2009 a statement related to the effects on public health of an increase of the levels for aflatoxin total from 4 µg/kg to 10 µg/kg for tree nuts other than almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios.

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