2005, Volume IX, Issue 1REGULATORY NEWSOn October 12, 2004, the EC’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) discussed proposals for maximum limits for Fusarium toxins in cereals and cereal products.The proposed maximum limits for deoxynivalenol were as follows: (1) 1,750 µg/kg in unprocessed cereals,with the exception of maize (to be established before July 2007), and durum wheat and oats for which 1,250 µg/kg was proposed; (2) 750 µg/kg in pasta (dry weight), cereal flour, semolina, maize grits, maize semolina; (3) 500 µg/kg in bread, pastries, biscuits, cereal snacks, and breakfast cereals; and (4) 200 µg/kg in processed cereal-based food for infants and young children and baby food. The proposed limits for zearalenone were as follows: (1) 100 µg/kg in unprocessed cereals other than maize; (2) 75 µg/kg in cereal flour; (3) 50 µg/kg in cereal snacks and breakfast cereals; and (4) 20 µg/kg in processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children and baby food. Limits for maize and maizebased products will be discussed before July 2007. Maximum levels for fumonisins, T-2 toxin, and HT-2 toxin will be fixed for a number of matrices, if appropriate, before July 1, 2007. Information on the SCFCAH proposals is available at the following website: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/scfcah/toxic/ agen07_en.pdf |