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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
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Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : S/F to EIC 230/2/12

9 January 2007

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 21/2007

European Union (EU)* : Regulation Setting Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in foodstuffs

Further to Commercial Information Circulars No. 236/2005 of 7 July 2005, the European Commission has recently adopted a Regulation to replace the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 466/2001 concerning the maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Details are set out in Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 (the Regulation), copy (pdf format) of which is attached to this Circular for reference.

DETAILS

  1.  
  2. The Regulation aims to protect public health and keep contaminants at levels which are toxicologically acceptable. It specifies the maximum levels of contaminants in certain foodstuffs mentioned in the Annex of the Regulation. Types of contaminants under control include:
    1. Nitrate;
       
    2. Mycotoxins;
       
    3. Metals (including lead, cadmium, mercury and inorganic tin);
       
    4. 3-monochloropropane-1, 2-diol (3-MCPD);
       
    5. Dioxins and PCBs; and
       
    6. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

In addition, there are also specific provisions for groundnuts, derived products thereof, nuts, dried fruit, maize, cereals and lettuce. Details are set out in Articles 4 – 6 of the Regulation.

  1. Except those specified in the Regulation, the requirements will enter into force on 1 March 2007.

ENQUIRIES

  1. For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,




(Miss Angel POON)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* The EU includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.



Note ：

  • While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same.