This evaluation is the first of three scientific opinions by the Panel on Contaminants (CONTAM Panel) in the Food Chain, in which thirteen substances have been evaluated.

The CONTAM Panel considered that phosphoric acid, ammonium polyphosphate, benzyl alcohol (pharmaceutical and reagent grades only), epoxidised soyabean oil (with a minimum 7 % - maximum 8 % oxirane oxygen content), ethyl acetate, 2-ethylhexanol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol (molecular weight greater than 400), methanol and ethanol, when used as previous cargoes, would not raise any concerns regarding their acute or longer term toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity or reproductive toxicity. In addition, there were no concerns regarding possible allergenicity or adjuvant effects. The Panel noted that the majority of these substances, with the exception of 1,4-butanediol and methanol, have been assigned acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) (or tolerable daily intakes (TDIs)) by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee for Food Additives (JECFA), SCF or EFSA and that in all cases these were greater than or equal to 0.1 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) per day. There were no possible reaction products with fats and oils of toxicological concern. The substances could easily be removed by cleaning of the tank. Suitable analytical methods are available or are feasible for all of these substances. Any remaining impurities, either identified or anticipated, were considered of no toxicological concern. The CONTAM Panel therefore concluded that these substances meet the criteria for acceptability as previous cargoes.

In the case of calcium lignosulphonate, there was sufficient information available for the CONTAM Panel to conclude that the risk from short-term exposure to this substance when used as a previous cargo would not give rise to any toxicological concern. However, the product varies markedly in composition, there is no information on potential impurities, nor is there information on its potential reactivity with fats and oils. The CONTAM Panel therefore concluded that calcium lignosulphonate does not meet the criteria for acceptability as a previous cargo. 


Click here for the scientific opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part I of III.