Commission Regulation (EU) No 519/2014 of 16 May 2014 amending Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 as regards methods of sampling of large lots, spices and food supplements, performance criteria for T-2, HT-2 toxin and citrinin and screening methods of analysis Text with EEA relevance
Commission Regulation (EU) No 519/2014of 16 May 2014amending Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 as regards methods of sampling of large lots, spices and food supplements, performance criteria for T-2, HT-2 toxin and citrinin and screening methods of analysis(Text with EEA relevance)THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rulesOJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1., in particular Article 11(4) thereof,Whereas:(1)Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (OJ L 364, 20.12.2006, p. 5). provides for maximum limits for certain mycotoxins in certain foodstuffs.(2)Sampling plays a crucial part in the precision of the determination of the levels of mycotoxins, which are heterogeneously distributed in a lot. It is therefore necessary to set out criteria which the sampling methods should fulfil.(3)Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 of 23 February 2006 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of the levels of mycotoxins in foodstuffs (OJ L 70, 9.3.2006, p. 12). establishes the criteria for the sampling for the control of the levels of mycotoxins.(4)It is necessary to amend the rules concerning the sampling of spices in order to take into account the differences in particle size which leads to the heterogeneous distribution of mycotoxin contamination in spices. Furthermore it is appropriate to establish rules for the sampling of large lots in order to ensure a uniform enforcement approach across the Union. It is also appropriate to clarify which method of sampling has to be applied for the sampling of apple juice.(5)The performance criteria for T-2 and HT-2 toxin need to be updated in order to take into account scientific and technological progress. Performance criteria for citrinin need to be established given the maximum level established for citrinin in food supplements based on rice fermented with the red yeast Monascus purpureus.(6)For the analysis of mycotoxins, screening methodologies are used more and more. It is appropriate to establish criteria with which the screening methods have to comply with for use for regulatory purposes.(7)The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: