Position Paper on Ochratoxin A (Agenda item 14 a)
Position Paper on Zearalenone (Agenda Item 14b)
Position Paper on Patulin (Agenda Item 14 c)
Comments on the Proposed Draft Maximum Level for Patulin in Apple Juice and Apple Juice Ingredients in Ready Made Soft Drinks
105) The Committee considered an updated version of the position paper CX/FAC 98/16, presented at the 30th session of the CCFAC, prepared by Sweden. The Committee considered the three recommendations of the Working Group on how to proceed with the work on Ochratoxin A.
106) Many countries supported the proposal to develop a code of practice for Ochratoxin A in cereals. The Committee agreed to the suggestion of the Secretariat for a working title "Code of practice for the prevention of contamination by Ochratoxin A in cereals". The Committee asked the Delegation of Sweden to develop this code, assisted by the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Argentina. The Committee agreed to propose the elaboration of the code as new work to the Commission.
107) The Committee also discussed the proposal for a maximum level of 5 µg/kg for Ochratoxin A for cereals and cereal products, to be circulated at Step 3. Many delegations supported this proposal. The Observer from Consumers International supported the proposal, together with a sampling plan and stressed that consumers were exposed to Ochratoxin A and that immediate action was needed to protect them.
108) However, some delegations were in favour of obtaining more information about contamination levels and distribution, problems in trade and a risk assessment from JECFA, before circulating a maximum level in the Step Procedure. The Delegation of Brazil emphasized the importance of a sampling plan and an analytical method when proposing a maximum limit. The Delegation of the United States stated that the risk assessment by JECFA was needed to provide the scientific basis for an appropriate maximum level before circulation in the Step Procedure. The Delegation of the United Kingdom suggested the possibility of two levels: a level for trade and a lower level for direct consumption (comparable to the aflatoxin levels).
Status of the Proposed Draft Maximum Level for Ochratoxin A
109) The Committee agreed that the maximum level of 5 µg/kg for Ochratoxin A in cereals and cereal products would be circulated for comment at Step 3, including suggestions for sampling plans (see Appendix IX). The Committee also agreed to ask JECFA to perform a risk assessment on the levels of 5 and 20 µg/kg of Ochratoxin A in cereals and cereal products.
110) The Committee recalled that the last session had asked the Delegation of Norway to prepare a position paper on zearalenone and considered the recommendations proposed in this paper, especially the need for a code of practice to reduce contamination rather than a maximum limit in the final product. The Committee noted that zearalenone was scheduled for evaluation by the 53rd Meeting of JECFA in 1999.
111) The Committee, recognizing that there were no identified trade problems with zearalenone, agreed that a maximum level was not necessary for the time being. The Committee, referring to its earlier decision to elaborate a code of practice for ochratoxin control, considered the opportunity of developing a single code addressing the contamination of cereals by mycotoxins in general, as proposed by the Delegation of France. The Delegation of Sweden, referring to its work on ochratoxin, pointed out that the measures to prevent contamination were different as compared to zearalenone. The Committee agreed to proceed with the development of separate codes at this stage, taking into account the framework which already existed in the Code for the Reduction of Aflatoxin B1 in Raw Materials and Supplemental Feedingstuffs.
112) The Committee agreed that the Delegation of Norway would finalize the position paper for consideration by the next session and would prepare a Proposed Draft Code of Practice for the Prevention of Contamination of Cereals by Zearalenone. Subject to the approval of the Commission as new work, the Proposed Draft Code would be circulated at Step 3 for comments and consideration by the next session. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the Delegation of Norway for its work on zearalenone.
113) The Committee recalled that the 30th Session had accepted the offer of the Delegation of France to update the position paper in view of the comments received for further discussion. The Committee thanked the Delegation of France for its work and agreed that it would finalize the paper as a basis for future work.
114) The Committee discussed a proposal by the Observer from the International Soft Drinks Council (ISDC) to amend the scope so that it should not to focus on ready made soft drinks. The Committee agreed that the proposed maximum levels for Patulin should apply to apple juice and apple juice ingredients in other beverages.
115) Several delegations supported the proposed maximum level of 50 µg/kg as it was an appropriate level to ensure the protection of consumers, including children, and it was also technologically achievable. It was stated that 50 µg/kg was a feasible level but that the industry had difficulties to meet a level of 25 µg/kg due to the limits of methods of analysis; in addition minor blemishes and internal rot were not amenable to quality sorting.
116) Other delegations, including France, were of the opinion that a level of 25 µg/kg was necessary to ensure adequate health protection, noting that special attention should be given to children who consume large amounts of apple juice. The Delegation of Thailand suggested that 25 µg/kg level would ensure proper health protection of consumers and that a Code of Practice could be developed if the level was not technologically feasible. The Delegation of the Netherlands, supported by a number of other delegations, suggested that the Committee seek further comments on the justification of the proposed maximum levels for patulin.
Status of the Proposed Draft Maximum Level for Patulin
117) The Committee agreed to forward the Proposed Draft Maximum Level of 50 µg/kg for Patulin in apple juice and apple juice ingredients in other beverages to the Commission for adoption at Step 5 (see Appendix IX) and to seek further comments at Step 6 for the justification of a maximum level of 25 µg/kg, as compared to 50 µg/kg.
