The guidelines on BAC have been adopted by the EU Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health, and apply from 26 July, on a temporary basis. According to the Guidance:
‘Food and feed of plant and animal origin with a level of BAC higher than 0.5 mg/kg should not be placed on the market and be withdrawn from the market and safely disposed of
Member States are recommended to carry out investigations on the causes of the contamination and put in place a monitoring programme with a view to have a clear understanding of the levels of BAC in all food and feed of plant and animal origin. Members States should without any delay communicate to the Commission and to EFSA the results of the monitoring programmes and investigations by the end of February 2013, with a view of taking any necessary measure under Reg. (EC) No 396/2005.’The European Commission is in contact with authorities within individual member states with regard to the causes of contamination of organic products and a further statement may become available from the Commission with regard to the status of organic products in due course.
The Chemical Regulations Directorate has commented to us: ‘We believe the raised the guideline level will be sufficient to cover residues arising from most disinfectant uses. Nevertheless businesses involved with the placing on the market, distribution and sale of foods and feeds should employ appropriate quality control measures to ensure that marketed produce does not exceed 0.5 mg/kg.
In addition, if businesses hold or obtain further information on residues of BAC arising in food it would be helpful if details could be forwarded to us.’
