26.6.2015   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 161/9

(1)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (2) sets maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs.

(2)

The Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (Contam Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adopted an opinion on lead in food on 18 March 2010 (3). The Contam Panel identified developmental neurotoxicity in young children and cardiovascular effects and nephrotoxicity in adults as potential critical adverse effects of lead on which to base the risk assessment. It further indicated that protection of children and women of child-bearing age against the potential risk of neurodevelopmental effects is sufficient to protect all populations from the other adverse effects of lead. It is therefore appropriate to reduce the dietary exposure to lead in food by lowering existing maximum levels and setting additional maximum levels for lead in relevant commodities.

(3)

Maximum levels already exist for infant formulae and follow-on formulae. In order to further guarantee a continued lowering of dietary exposure of infants and young children, existing maximum levels should be lowered and new maximum levels established for processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes for infants and young children and drinks, which are highly consumed by this vulnerable group of consumers.

(4)

New occurrence data show that some of the existing exemptions from default maximum levels are no longer necessary as the default maximum levels can be complied with by following good practices or that lower maximum levels would be achievable. Specific maximum levels are therefore no longer necessary for brassica other than leafy brassica, fresh legumes, most of the berries and small fruits while existing maximum levels should be lowered for cephalopods, most fruiting vegetables, most fruit juices, wine and aromatised wine.

(5)

For salsify, compliance with current maximum levels is difficult. Since consumption of this commodity is low and effects on human exposure are negligible, it is appropriate to raise the maximum levels of lead for salsify.

(6)

Erratic findings of high levels of lead in honey have triggered enforcement actions by Member States at differing levels of lead. Differences in rules adopted by the Member States may hinder the functioning of the common market, therefore a harmonised maximum level for lead in honey should be set.

(7)

As consumption of tea and herbal infusions can be an important contributor to dietary exposure, a maximum level for these commodities should be established. However, in absence of data on dry tea leaves and dry parts of other plants for the preparation of herbal infusions allowing the establishment of such a maximum level, occurrence data should be collected in view of the possible establishment of a specific maximum level in the future.

(8)

Legislation related to processed cereal-based foods, baby foods for infants and young children and dietary foods for special medical purposes has been replaced necessitating changes to certain endnotes.

(9)

Member States and food business operators should be allowed time to adapt to the new maximum levels established by this Regulation. The date of application of the maximum levels of lead should therefore be deferred.

(10)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,