Regarding fats and oils maximum levels are set for mycotoxins, lead, benzo(a)pyrene, dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin like PCBS within these regulations.
Mycotoxins
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Contaminant
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Food product
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Maximum levels
|
|
Aflatoxin B1
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Peanut and coconut oil
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2 µg/kg
|
|
Aflatoxin B1 + B2 + G1 + G2
|
Peanut and coconut oil
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4 µg/kg
|
|
Zeaealenone
|
Refined maize oil
|
400 µg/kg
|
Lead and Benzo(a)pyrene
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Contaminant
|
Product
|
Maximum levels
|
|
Lead
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Fats and oils for human consumption
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0,1 mg/kg (also Codex)
|
|
PAHs*
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Fats and oils for human consumption
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2 µg/kg benzo(a)pyrene
|
*) PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons).
Limits for PAHs in oils and fats will change from 1 September 2012, see Regulation (EU) No. 835/2011
Dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin like PCBs (from 1st January 2012)
|
Food product
|
Maximum levels
Sum of dioxins and furans (WHO-PCDD/
F-TEQ)
|
Maximum levels
Sum of dioxins, and dioxin-like PCBs (WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ)
|
Maximum levels
Sum of PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB138, PCB153 and PCB180 (ICES-6)
|
|
Vegetable oil and fats
|
0,75 pg/g fat
|
1,25 pg/g fat
|
40 ng/g fat
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Animal fats from:
- bovine animals and sheep
- poultry
- pigs
|
2,5 pg/g fat
1,75 pg/g fat
1,0 pg/g fat
|
4,0 pg/g fat
3,0 pg/g fat
1,25 pg/g fat
|
40 ng/g
40 ng/g
40 ng/g
|
|
Mixed animal fats
|
1,5 pg/g fat
|
2,50 pg/g fat
|
40 ng/g fat
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marine oil
|
1,75 pg/g fat
|
6,0 pg/g fat
|
200 ng/g fat
|
Action levels dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs
Action levels are set to reduce the dioxin intake of the European Community population. They are meant as a tool for competent authorities and operators to highlight those cases where it is appropriate to identify a source of contamination and to take measures to reduce or eliminate it.
From January 2012 onwards, there is only an action limit set for mixed fats. For the sum of dioxins and furans for mixed fats, whereas a limit of 0,75 pg/g fat applies for dioxin-like PCBs. For details see Recommendation (2011/516/EU)
For more information please contact Annette Klomp, klomp@mvo.nl, tel. 070 3195114