Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

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

29 December 2001

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 201/01

European Union (EU)* : Amendment to Regulation Setting Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Foodstuffs

Further to Commercial Information Circular No. 72/2001 of 28 March 2001 informing the trade that the European Commission (EC) adopted Commission Regulation (EC) No. 466/2001 setting the maximum levels for certain contaminants allowed in foodstuffs, the EC has adopted an amendment to the Regulation to extend the control to cover another contaminant; i.e. dioxin. Details are set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 2375/2001, a copy of which is at Annex (pdf format) of this Circular for reference.

2. The amendment sets the maximum levels of dioxin allowed in foodstuffs covering meat and meat products, liver and derived products, fish and fishery products, milk and milk products, hen eggs and egg products, and oils and fats; prohibits the mixing of products complying with the maximum levels with products exceeding the maximum levels; and also prohibits the use of products which do not comply with the maximum levels as an ingredient for the manufacture of other foodstuffs.

ENQUIRIES

3. For enquiries about the contents of this Circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Helen YUNG)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

 * : The EU Member States are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, 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.