Exchange between the EU Commission and Member States on the pesticide ethylene oxide

Exchange between the EU Commission and Member States on the pesticide ethylene oxide

Exchange between the EU Commission and Member States on the pesticide ethylene oxide

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Nov 8, 2021 - Foods

Exchange between the EU Commission and Member States on the pesticide ethylene oxide

 

On October 4, 2021, an exchange took place between the EU Commission and member states regarding ethylene oxide. The aim of the meeting was to discuss a variety of technical and regulatory aspects.

According to the assessment of the German Food Association, the results are based on pesticide residue regulations, although certain affected foods and sources do not fall under the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Additionally, all results are based on the assumption that ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol are to be treated equally from a toxicological perspective.

This led to the following results:

- The residue definition of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 is applied to all food and feed regardless of the legal area they fall under.

- For food and feed, harmonized "analytical reporting limits" were agreed upon, which may differ from actual analytical determination limits. The assessment will then be based on these reporting limits and no longer on the basis of true analytical determination limits.

- In Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, maximum residue levels (MRLs) at the level of the official analytical determination limit apply to a number of substances, including "ethylene oxide". As a result, food is considered non-marketable if it exceeds the agreed reporting limit, even if it actually falls under a different legal area. In the view of the EU Commission, these foods are then also not safe.

In our Tentamus laboratories, we regularly conduct testing for ethylene oxide. We provide you with fast and reliable results.


Our customer advisors are happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

 

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