COMMI SSION REGUL ATION (EU) 2023/915 
of 25 Apr il 2023
on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 
(Text with EEA relevance) 
THE EUR OPEAN COMMISSION,
Havi ng regar d to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Havi ng regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 of 8 Febr uary 1993 laying down Community procedures for 
contaminants in food (1), and in particular Article 2(3) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (2)sets maximum levels for certain contaminants in food. That 
Regulation has already been amended substantially many times and since a number of new amendments are to be 
made to that Regulation, it should be replaced.
(2) Maximum levels should be set at a strict level, which is reasonably achievable by followi ng good agricultural, fisher y 
and manufactur ing practices and taking into account the risk related to the consump tion of the food. In the case of a 
possible health risk, maximum levels for contaminants should be set at a level, whic h is as low as reasonably 
achi evable (ALARA). Such an approac h ensures that food business operat ors apply measures to prevent and reduce 
the contamination as much as possible in order to protect public health. It is further more appropr iate for the 
prote ction of the health of infants and young children, a vulnerable group, to establish the lowe st maximum levels, 
which are achievable through a strict selection of the raw mat erials used for the manufactur ing of foods for that 
population, combined, where appropr iate, with specif ic manufactur ing practices. This strict selection of the raw 
mater ials is also appropr iate for the production of specifi c food placed on the mark et for the final consumer , for 
which a strict maximum level has been set out in order to prote ct vulnerable populations.
(3) To ensure an efficient prote ction of public health, food containing contaminants excee ding the maximum levels not 
only should not be placed on the mark et as such, but should also not be used as a food ingredient or be mixed with 
food.
(4) To allow maximum levels to be applied to dried, diluted, processed and compo und food, for which no specifi c Union 
maximum levels have been set out, food business operators should provi de to the compet ent author ities the specifi c 
concentration, dilution and processing factors and, in case of compo und food, the propor tion of ingredients, 
accompan ied by the appropr iate exper imental data justifying the factors proposed.
(5) Due to the lack of toxicological data and scientifi c evidence of the safety of the metabolite s created by chemical 
detoxification, it is appropr iate to prohibit such treatment of food.
(6) It is recognised that sorting or other physical treatments make it possible to reduce the content of contaminants in 
food. In order to minimise the effects on trade, it is appropr iate to allow higher levels of contaminants for certain 
products, whic h are not placed on the mark et for the final consumer or as a food ingredient. In those cases, the 
maximum levels for contaminants should be set out taking into consideration the effectiveness of such treatments 
to reduce the content of contaminants in food to levels below the maximum levels set out for those products placed 
on the mark et for the final consumer or used as a food ingredient. To avoid that these higher maximum levels are 
abused, it is appropr iate to lay down provisions for the marketing, labelling and use of the concer ned products.
(1)OJ L 37, 13.2.1993, p. 1.
(2)Commission 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).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/103  (7) Certain commodities have uses other than food and for whic h less strict or no maximum levels for a certain 
contaminant are applicable. To enable effective enforcement of the maximum levels for contaminants in these 
foods, it is appropr iate to lay down suitable labelling provi sions for those foods.
(8) Certain fish species originating from the Baltic region may contain high levels of dioxins, dioxin-like poly chlor inate d 
biphen yls (‘DL- PCBs’) and non dioxin-like poly chlor inated biphen yls (‘NDL- PCBs’). A signif icant propor tion of those 
fish species from the Baltic region does not comply with the maximum levels and would theref ore be excl uded from 
the diet if the maximum levels were applied. However , the excl usion of fish from the diet may have a negat ive impact 
on the health of the population of the Baltic region.
(9) Latvia, Finland and Sweden have system s in place to ensure that final consumers are informed of the dietar y 
recommendations for identif ied vulnerable groups of the population to restr ict consum ption of fish from the Baltic 
region in order to avoid health risks. Theref ore, it is appropr iate to maintain a derogation to Latvia, Finland and 
Sweden allowing them to author ise the placing on their respective market for the final consumer without time limit 
certain fish species originating in the Baltic region with levels of dioxins and/or DL-PCBs and/or NDL -PCBs higher 
than those set in this Regulation. In order to allow the Commission to monitor the situation, Latvia, Finland and 
Sweden should continue to repor t yearly to the Commission the measures they have take n to effectively inform 
final consumers of the dietar y recommendations and to ensure that fish and products thereof non-compliant with 
the maximum levels are not mark eted in other Member States, as well as the effectiveness of those measures.
(10) Despite the application of good smoking practices to the extent possible, the current maximum levels for poly cyclic 
aromatic hydrocarbons (‘PAHs’) are not achi evable in several Member States in certain traditionally smoked meats 
and meat products and traditionally smoked fish and fisher y products, where smoking practices cannot be alter ed 
without changing significantly the organolep tic charact eristics of the food. Consequently , if maximum levels were 
applied, such traditionally smok ed products would disappear from the mark et resulting in the closure of many 
small and medium size enterprises. That is the case with certain traditionally smoke d meat and smoked meat 
products in Ireland, Spain, Croatia, Cypr us, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden and certain 
traditionally smoked fish and smoked fisher y products in Latvia, Finland and Sweden. Theref ore, a derogation for 
local production and consump tion should be maintained without a time limit for certain traditionally smoked meat 
and smoked meat products and traditionally smok ed fish and smoked fisher y products only in those Member States.
(11) Member State s are to collect and repor t data from official controls and from monitor ing of contaminants in 
accordance with control plans and with the specifi c requirements on official controls of contaminants laid down in 
Commission Deleg ated Regulation (EU) 2022/931 (3)and in Commission Implementing Regulation 
(EU) 2022/932 (4). For certain specifi c contaminants, for which more occur rence data are needed, it is 
recommended that Member States, food business operat ors and other interested parties should monitor and repor t 
the occur rence data, as well as repor t on the progress with regar d to the application of preventative measures, to 
allow the Commission to assess the need to modify existing measures or to adopt additional ones. For the same 
reasons, it is also appropr iate that Member States communicate to the Commission the information they have 
collect ed as regar ds other contaminants.
(3)Commission Delegat ed Regulation (EU) 2022/931 of 23 March 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council by laying down rules for the performance of official controls as regar ds contaminants in food 
(OJ L 162, 17.6.2022, p. 7).
(4)Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/932 of 9 June 2022 on unif orm practical arrangement s for the perf ormance of 
official controls as regards contaminants in food, on specific additional content of multi-annual national control plans and specific 
additional arrangements for their preparation (OJ L 162, 17.6.2022, p. 13).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/104 5.5.2023  (12) Maximum levels as currently set out by Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, as amended, should be maintained by this 
Regulation. However , in light of the exper ience gained with that Regulation and in order to improve the readability 
of the rules, it is appropr iate, on the one hand, to avoid the use of numerous footnote s and, on the other hand, to 
increase the references to Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council (5)for the definitions of the catego ries.
(13) Also in light of the exper ience gained with that Regulation and in order to enable unif orm enforcement of the 
maximum levels, it is appropr iate to clarify that lower bound concentrations should be used in those cases where 
maximum levels are set for multiple compo unds (sum of concentrations), excep t when specified other wise, and to 
clarify the body parts of crustaceans to which maximum levels apply .
(14) As regards cadmium, it is appropr iate to exte nd the current exemption for malt to all cereals used for the production 
of beer or distillat es, provided that the remaining cereal residue is not placed on the mark et as food, because 
cadmium mainly remains in the cereal residue and theref ore the cont ent of cadmium in beer is very low.
(15) As regards PAHs, based on the available analytical data and on the production method, which showed that negligible 
amount of those substances was found in instant/soluble coffee, it is appropr iate to excl ude instant/soluble coffee 
from the maximum level for powders of food of plant origin for the preparation of beverages. Further more, as 
regards maximum levels for PAHs for infant formulae, follow-on formulae and young-ch ild formulae and for food 
for special medical purposes intende d for infants and young children, they are currently set out for products as 
placed on the mark et without the distinction of the physical form of the product. It is theref ore appropr iate to 
clarify that these maximum levels refer to the products ready to use (placed on the mark et as such or after 
reconstitution as instr ucte d by the manuf acturer).
(16) As regar ds melamine, Codex Alimentar ius has adopt ed, additionally to the powdered infant formula, a maximum 
level for liquid infant formula, which the Union has accept ed. It is theref ore appropr iate to apply that maximum 
level for melamine in infant formula and follo w-on formula according ly.
(17) Theref ore, Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 should be repealed.
(18) When the Commission sets out new maximum limits for contaminants in food, it provides, where appropr iate, for 
transitional measures in order to enable economic operat ors to prepare for the application of the new rules. In 
order to ensure a smooth transition between Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and this Regulation, it is appropr iate 
to maintain the transitional measures as regards those maximum limits taken over by this Regulation, which are still 
relevant.
(19) The measures provid ed for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committ ee on 
Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGUL ATION:
Article 1
Def initions
For the purposes of this Regulation, the followi ng definitions apply:
(a) ‘food’ means food as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council (6);
(5)Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 Febr uary 2005 on maximum residue levels of 
pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC (OJ L 70, 16.3.2005, p. 1).
(6)Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 Januar y 2002 laying down the general principles 
and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety 
(OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/105  (b) ‘food business operator ’ means food business operat or as defined in Article 3, point 3, of Regulation (EC) 
No 178/2002;
(c) ‘placing on the mark et’ means placing on the mark et as defined in Article 3, point 8, of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002;
(d) ‘final consumer ’ means final consumer as defined in Article 3, point 18, of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002;
(e) ‘processing’ means processing as defined in Article 2(1), point (m) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European 
Parliament and of the Council (7);
(f) ‘unprocessed products’ means unprocessed products as defined in Article 2(1), point (n), of Regulation (EC) 
No 852/2004; and
(g) ‘processed products’ means processed products as defined in Article 2(1), point (o), of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
Article 2
General rules
1. The food listed in Annex I shall not be placed on the mark et and shall not be used as a raw mater ial in food or as an 
ingredient in food where it contains a contaminant at a level which exceeds the maximum level set out in Annex I.
2. Food compl ying with the maximum levels set out in Annex I shall not be mixed with food whic h exceed s these 
maximum levels.
3. The maximum levels set out in Annex I, unless other wise specified in that Annex, shall apply to food as placed on the 
mark et and to the edible part of the food concer ned.
4. In systems where cereal production and processing are integrat ed so that all incoming lots are cleaned, sorted and 
processed in the same establishment, the maximum levels shall apply to unprocessed cereals in the production chain at the 
stage before first-stag e processing.
Article 3
Dried, diluted, processed and compound food
1. Where no specifi c Union maximum levels are set out in Annex I for food which is dried, diluted, processed or 
compo und food (i.e. compo sed of more than one ingredient), the followi ng aspects shall be taken into account when 
applying the maximum levels set out in Annex I to such food:
(a) chang es of the concentration of the contaminant caused by drying or dilution processes;
(b) chang es of the concentration of the contaminant caused by processing;
(c) the relative propor tions of the ingredients in the product ;
(d) the analytical limit of quantification.
2. Where the compet ent author ity carries out an official control, the food business operator shall provid e and justify the 
specifi c concentration, dilution or processing factors for the drying, diluting or processing operations concer ned or the 
specifi c concentration, dilution or processing factors for the dried, dilut ed, processed or compo und food concer ned as well 
as the propor tion of ingredients for mixing operations concer ned.
Where the food business operator does not provide the necessar y concentration, dilution or processing factor or where the 
compet ent author ity deems that factor inappropr iate in view of the justif ication given, the compet ent author ity shall itself 
define that factor , based on the available information and with the objective of maximum protection of human health.
(7)Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 Apr il 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs (OJ L 139, 
30.4.2004, p. 1).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/106 5.5.2023  3. Where no specifi c Union maximum levels for food for infants and young children are set out in Annex I, Member 
State s may provid e for stricter maximum levels for such food.
Article 4
Prohibition on detoxification
Food containing contaminants listed in Annex I shall not be deliberately detoxified by chemical treatments.
Article 5
Food to be subjected to sorting or other physical treatment before placing on the market for the final consumer 
or use as a food ingredient
1. Where a maximum level for a contaminant is set out in Annex I specifi cally as regar ds food to be subjecte d to sorting 
or other physical treatment before placing on the mark et for the final consumer or use as a food ingredient, such food may 
be placed on the market provid ed that:
(a) it is not placed on the market for the final consumer or use as a food ingredient ;
(b) it compl ies with the maximum level set out in Annex I for that contaminant in that food to be subjected to sorting or 
other physical treatment before placing on the mark et for the final consumer or use as a food ingredient ; and
(c) it is labelled and mark ed in accordance with paragraph 2.
2. The label of each individual packag e and the original accompan ying document of food referred to in paragraph 1, 
point (c), shall clearly show its use and bear the follo wing information: ‘Product shall be subjected to sorting or other 
physical treatment to reduce [name contaminant(s)] contamination before placing on the mark et for the final consumer or 
use as a food ingredient ’.
The consignment/batc h identification code shall be indelibly mark ed on each individual packag e of the consignment and on 
the original accompan ying document.
3. Food to be subjected to sorting or other physical treatment to reduce contamination levels shall not prior to this be 
mixe d with food placed on the mark et for the final consumer or with food intended for use as a food ingredient.
4. Food whic h has been subjected to sorting or other physical treatment to reduce contamination levels may be placed 
on the mark et provi ded that the maximum levels set out in Annex I for food placed on the market for the final consumer 
or use as a food ingredient are not exce eded and that the treatment used has not result ed in the presence of other harmful 
residues.
Article 6
Labelling provisions for groundnuts (peanuts), other oilseeds, derived products thereof and cereals
1. The label of each individual packag e and the original accompan ying document of groundnuts (peanuts), other 
oilseeds, derived products thereof and cereals shall clearly show its intended use.
The consignment/batc h identification code shall be indelibly mark ed on each individual packag e of the consignment and on 
the original accompan ying document. The business activity of the consignee of the consignment given on the 
accompan ying document shall be compati ble with the intended use.
2. In the absence of a clear information that their intended use is not to be placed on the mark et as food, the maximum 
levels set out in Annex I shall apply to all groundnuts (peanuts), other oilseeds and derived products thereof and cereals 
placed on the market.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/107  3. The excep tion of groundnuts (peanuts) and other oilseeds for crushing from the application of the maximum levels 
set out in Annex I, shall only apply to consignments, which:
(a) are clearly labelled showi ng their intended use;
(b) bear the followi ng information ‘Product to be subject to crushing for the production of refined vegeta ble oil’ on the 
label of each individual packa ge and on the original accompan ying document ; and
(c) have a crushing plant as the final destination.
Article 7
Derogations from Article 2
1. By way of derogation from Article 2, Latvia, Finland and Sweden may author ise the placing on their respective mark et 
for the final consumer , within their annual quota as set in Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and 
of the Council (8), of wild caught salmon (Salmo salar) and products thereof originating in the Baltic region with levels of 
dioxins and/or DL-PCBs and/or NDL-PCBs higher than those set out in point 4.1.5 of Annex I, provi ded that:
(a) a system is in place to ensure that final consumers, are fully informed of the national dietar y recommendations with 
regard to the restr ictions on the consum ption of wild caught salmon from the Baltic region and products thereof by 
identif ied vulnerable groups of the population in order to avoid poten tial health risks;
(b) Latvia, Finland and Sweden continue to apply the necessar y measures to ensure that wild caught salmon and products 
thereof not compl ying with point 4.1.5 of Annex I are not mark eted in other Member States;
(c) Latvia, Finland and Sweden repor t yearly to the Commission the measures they have take n to effectively inform final 
consumers of the dietar y recommendations and to ensure that wild caught salmon and products thereof not 
compliant with the maximum levels are not mark eted in other Member States and provide evidence of the 
effectiveness of those measures.
2. By way of derogation from Article 2, Finland and Sweden may author ise the placing on their respective market, 
within their annual quota as set in Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, wild caught Baltic herring larger than 17 cm (Clupea 
hareng us membr as), of wild caught char (Salvelinus spp.), wild caught river lampre y (Lampetr a fluviatilis) and wild caught 
trout (Salmo trutta) and products thereof originating in the Baltic region with levels of dioxins and/or DL-PCBs and/or 
NDL -PCBs higher than those set out in point 4.1.5 of Annex I, provid ed that:
(a) a system is in place to ensure that final consumers are fully informed of the dietar y recommendations with rega rd to the 
restr ictions on the consum ption of wild caught Baltic herring larger than 17 cm, wild caught char, wild caught river 
lampre y and wild caught trout from the Baltic region and products thereof by identif ied vulnerable groups of the 
population in order to avoid potential health risks;
(b) Finland and Sweden continue to apply the necessar y measures to ensure that wild caught Baltic herring larger than 17 
cm, wild caught char , wild caught river lampre y and wild caught trout and products thereof not compl ying with point 
4.1.5 of Annex I are not mark eted in other Member States;
(c) Finland and Sweden repor t yearly to the Commission the measures they have taken to effectively inform the identif ied 
vulnerable sections of the population of the dietar y recommendations and to ensure that fish and products thereof not 
compliant with the maximum levels is not market ed in other Member States and provid e evidence of the effectiveness 
of those measures.
(8)Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisher ies Policy , 
amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 
and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/108 5.5.2023  3. By way of deroga tion from Article 2, the following Member State s may author ise the placing on their respective 
mark et for the final consumer of the following traditionally smoked meat and smoke d meat products, smoked in their 
territory with levels of PAHs higher than those set out in point 5.1.6 of Annex I, provided that those products dot not 
contain more than 5,0 μg/kg for benzo(a)p yrene and 30,0 μg/kg for the sum of benzo(a)p yrene, benz(a)anthracene, 
benzo(b)f luoranthene and chrysene:
(a) Ireland, Croatia, Cypr us, Spain, Poland and Portugal: traditionally smok ed meat and meat products;
(b) Latvia: traditionally smoked pork, hot smok ed chic ken meat, hot smoked sausages and hot smoked game meat ;
(c) Slovakia: salted traditionally smok ed meat, traditionally smok ed bacon, traditionally smoked sausage (klobása), where 
‘traditionally smoke d’ means developing smoke by burning woods (wood logs, wood sawdus t, wood chips) in a 
smokehouse;
(d) Finland: traditionally hot smoked meat and meat products;
(e) Sweden: meat and meat products smoked over glowing wood or other plant mate rials.
Those Member States and concer ned food business operat ors shall continue to monitor the presence of PAHs in 
traditionally smoked meat and smoked meat products refer red to in the first subparagraph and shall ensure that good 
smoking practices are implement ed where possible, without losing typical organoleptic charact eristics of those products.
4. By way of deroga tion from Article 2, the following Member State s may author ise the placing on their respective 
mark et for the final consumer of the followi ng traditionally smoked fish and smok ed fisher y products, smok ed in their 
territory with levels of PAHs higher than those set out in point 5.1.7 of Annex I, provided that those smok ed products do 
not contain more than 5,0 μg/kg for benzo(a)p yrene and 30,0 μg/kg for the sum of benzo(a)p yrene, benz(a)anthracene, 
benzo(b)f luoranthene and chrysene:
(a) Latvia: traditionally hot smoked fish;
(b) Finland: traditionally hot smoked small fish and fisher y products made from small fish;
(c) Sweden: fish and fisher y products smoke d over glowing wood or other plant mate rials.
Those Member States and concer ned food business operat ors shall continue to monitor the presence of PAHs in 
traditionally smoked fish and smoked fisher y products refer red to in the first subparagraph and shall ensure that good 
smoking practices are implement ed where possible, without losing typical organoleptic charact eristics of those products.
Article 8
Monit oring and repor ting
1. By 1 July 2023 , Member States and inter ested parties shall communicate to the Commission the results of 
inve stigations under taken and the progress with regar d to the application of prevention measures to avoid contamination 
by ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids in rye and rye milling products and ergot alkaloids in milling products of barley , 
wheat, spelt and oats grains.
Member States and interest ed parties shall repor t ever y year to the European Food Safety Author ity (‘Author ity’) the 
occur rence data on ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids in rye and rye milling products and on ergot alkaloids in milling 
products of barle y, wheat, spelt and oats grains.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission, when requeste d, the investig ations under take n and the 
relevant sources identif ied following Commission Recommendations for monitor ing of the presence of contaminants in 
food and the progress with regard to the application of prevention measures to avoid contamination.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/109  3. Member States shall repor t to the Authority the occur rence data that they have collect ed on other contaminants than 
those refer red to in paragraph 1. Food business operators and other inter ested parties may submit such occur rence data to 
the Authority.
4. Member States, food business operators and other interested parties shall provide to the Author ity the occur rence 
data in accordance with Author ity’s repor ting requirements.
Article 9
Repeal
Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 is repealed.
References to the repealed Regulation shall be constr ued as references to this Regulation and shall be read in accordance 
with the correlation table in Annex II.
Article 10
Transitional measures
1. Food lawfully placed on the mark et prior to the dates referred to in points (a) to (k) may remain on the mark et until 
their date of minimum durability or use-by date:
(a) 19 September 2021 as regar ds the maximum levels for tropane alkaloids in baby foods and processed cereal-based 
foods for infants and young children, containing maize or its derived products set out in point 2.2.1 of Annex I;
(b) 1 Januar y 2022 as regards the maximum levels for ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids set out in point 1.8 of Annex I;
(c) 3 May 2022 as regards the maximum levels for mercur y set out in point 3.3 of Annex I;
(d) 1 July 2022 as regar ds the maximum levels for opium alkaloids set out in point 2.5 of Annex I;
(e) 1 Sept ember 2022 as regards the maximum levels for tropane alkaloids set out in points 2.2.2 to 2.2.9 of Annex I;
(f) 1 Januar y 2023 as regards the maximum levels for ochrato xin A set out in point 1.2 of Annex I;
(g) 1 Januar y 2023 as regards the maximum levels for hydrocyanic acid set out in point 2.3 of Annex I;
(h) 1 Januar y 2023 as regards the maximum levels for the sum of Δ9-THC and Δ9-THCA set out in point 2.6 of Annex I;
(i) 1 Januar y 2023 as regards the maximum levels for the sum of dioxins and for the sum of dioxins and DL-PCBs set out 
in points 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.11 and 4.1.12 of Annex I;
(j) 1 Januar y 2023 as regards the maximum levels for the sum of perf luoroalkyl substances set out in point 4.2 of Annex I;
(k) 26 March 2023 as regards the maximum levels for arsenic set out in point 3.4 of Annex I.
2. Food lawfully placed on the market before 1 July 2022 may remain on the mark et until 31 December 2023 as regards 
the maximum levels for pyrrolizidine alkaloids set out in point 2.4 of Annex I.
3. The burden of proving the date when the products were lawfully placed on the mark et shall be borne by the food 
business operat or.
Article 11
Entr y into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day followi ng that of its publication in the Official Journal of the 
European Union.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/110 5.5.2023  This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 25 Apr il 2023 .
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYENEN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/111  ANNEX I 
Maximum levels for certain cont aminants in food (1)
1 Mycoto xins
1.1 Aflato xins Maximum level (μg/kg) Remark s
B1 Sum of B1, 
B2, G1 and G2M1 For the sum of aflatoxins, maximum levels refer to lower bound 
concentrations, which are calculat ed on the assum ption that all 
the values below the limit of quantifi cation are zero.
1.1.1 Dried fruits to be subjected to sorting or other physical 
treatment before placing on the mark et for the final 
consumer or use as an ingredient in food excep t products 
liste d in 1.1.35,0 10,0 -
1.1.2 Dried fruits used as only ingredient or processed products 
from dried fruits, placed on the mark et for the final 
consumer or use as an ingredient in food excep t products 
liste d in 1.1.32,0 4,0 - In the case of food consisting of dried fruits used as only 
ingredient or in the case of processed products consisting at 
least of 80 % from the dried fruits concer ned, the maximum 
levels as established for the corresponding dried fruits apply 
also to those products. In other cases, Article 3(1) and (2) apply .
1.1.3 Dried figs 6,0 10,0 - In the case of food consisting of dried figs used as only 
ingredient or in the case of processed products consisting at 
least of 80 % from dried figs, the maximum levels as 
established for dried figs apply also to those products. In other 
cases, Article 3(1) and (2) apply .
1.1.4 Groundnuts (peanuts) and other oilseeds, to be subjecte d to 
sorting or other physical treatment before placing on the 
mark et for the final consumer or use as an ingredient in food8,0 15,0 - Except groundnuts (peanuts) and other oilseeds for crushing for 
refined vegetable oil production.
If groundnuts (peanuts) and other oilseeds with inedible shell are 
analysed, it is assumed, when calculating the aflatoxin cont ent, 
that all the contamination is on the edible part.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/112 5.5.2023  1.1.5 Groundnuts (peanuts) and other oilseeds used as only 
ingredient or processed products from groundnuts (peanuts) 
and other oilseeds, placed on the mark et for the final consumer 
or use as an ingredient in food2,0 4,0 - Except crude vegetable oils destined for refining and refined 
veget able oils.
If groundnuts (peanuts) and other oilseeds with inedible shell are 
analysed, it is assumed when calculating the aflatoxin content 
that all the contamination is on the edible part.
In the case of food consisting of groundnuts (peanuts) and other 
oilseeds used as only ingredient or in the case of processed 
products consisting at least of 80 % from the groundnuts 
(peanuts) and other oilseeds concer ned, the maximum levels as 
established for the corresponding groundnuts (peanuts) and 
other oilseeds apply also to those products. In other cases, 
Articles 3(1) and (2) apply .
1.1.6 Tree nuts to be subjected to sorting or other physical treatment 
before placing on the mark et for the final consumer or use as 
an ingredient in food excep t products listed in 1.1.8 and 1.1.105,0 10,0 - If tree nuts ‘in shell’ are analysed, it is assumed, when calculating 
the aflatoxin conte nt, that all the contamination is on the edible 
part.
1.1.7 Tree nuts used as only ingredient or processed products from 
tree nuts, placed on the mark et for the final consumer or use as 
an ingredient in food excep t products listed in 1.1.9 and 1.1.112,0 4,0 - If tree nuts ‘in shell’ are analysed, it is assumed, when calculating 
the aflatoxin conte nt, that all the contamination is on the edible 
part.
In the case of food consisting of tree nuts used as only ingredient 
or in the case of processed products consisting at least of 80 % 
from the tree nuts concer ned, the maximum levels as established 
for tree nuts apply also to those products. In other cases, 
Article 3(1) and (2) apply .
1.1.8 Almonds, pistac hios and apricot kernels to be subjected to 
sorting or other physical treatment before placing on the 
mark et for the final consumer or use as an ingredient in food12,0 15,0 - If tree nuts ‘in shell’ are analysed, it is assumed, when calculating 
the aflatoxin conte nt, that all the contamination is on the edible 
part.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/113  1.1.9 Almonds, pistachios and apricot kernels, placed on the mark et 
for the final consumer or use as an ingredient in food8,0 10,0 - If tree nuts ‘in shell’ are analysed, it is assumed, when calculating 
the aflatoxin conte nt, that all the contamination is on the edible 
part.
In the case of food consisting of almonds, pistachios and apricot 
kernels used as only ingredient or in the case of processed 
products consisting at least of 80 % from the tree nuts 
concer ned, the maximum levels as established for the 
corresponding tree nuts apply also to those products. In other 
cases, Article 3(1) and (2) apply .
1.1.10 Hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, to be subjected to sorting or other 
physical treatment before placing on the market for the final 
consumer or use as an ingredient in food8,0 15,0 - If hazelnuts ‘in shell’ are analysed, it is assumed, when 
calculating the aflatoxin content, that all the contamination is 
on the edible part.
1.1.11 Hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, placed on the market for the final 
consumer or use as an ingredient in food5,0 10,0 - If hazelnuts ‘in shell’ are analysed, it is assumed, when 
calculating the aflatoxin content, that all the contamination is 
on the edible part.
In the case of food consisting of hazelnuts and Brazil nuts used 
as only ingredient or in the case of processed products 
consisting at least of 80 % from the tree nuts concer ned, the 
maximum levels as established for the corresponding tree nuts 
apply also to those products. In other cases, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
1.1.12 Cereals and products derived from cereals excep t products 
liste d in 1.1.13, 1.1.18 and 1.1.192,0 4,0 - Including processed cereal products.
Products derived from cereals relat e to products containing at 
least 80 % cereal products.
1.1.13 Maize and rice to be subject ed to sorting or other physical 
treatment before placing on the mark et for the final 
consumer or use as an ingredient in food5,0 10,0 -EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/114 5.5.2023  1.1.14 Following dried spices:
Capsicum spp. (dried fruits thereof, whole or ground, including 
chillies, chilli powder , cayenne or papr ika)
Pepper (fruits of Piper spp, including whit e and black pepper)
Nutmeg (Myr istica fragrans)
Turmer ic (Curc uma long a)
Mixtures of dried spices containing one or more of the 
abov ementioned dried spices5,0 10,0 -
1.1.15 Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (dried) 5,0 10,0 -
1.1.16 Raw milk (2), heat-treat ed milk and milk for the manufacture of 
milk -based products- - 0,050
1.1.17 Infant formulae, follow-on formulae (3) and young-c hild 
formulae (4)- - 0,025 The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed 
on the mark et as such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the 
manufact urer).
1.1.18 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and 
young children (3)0,10 - - The maximum level applies to the dry matt er (5) of the product 
as placed on the mark et.
1.1.19 Food for special medical purposes intended for infants and 
young children (3)0,10 - 0,025 The maximum level applies in the case of milk, milk products 
and similar products to the products ready to use (placed on the 
mark et as such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the 
manufact urer) and in the case of products other than milk, 
milk products and similar products to the dry matt er (5).
1.2 Ochrato xin AMaximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
1.2.1 Dried fruits
1.2.1.1 Dried vine fruits (cur rants, raisins and sultanas) and dried figs 8,0
1.2.1.2 Other dried fruits 2,0
1.2.2 Date syrup 15
1.2.3 Pistac hios to be subjected to sorting or other physical treatment before 
placing on the market for final consumer or use as an ingredient in food10,0 If tree nuts ‘in shell’ are analysed, it is assumed, when calculating the ochrat oxin 
A cont ent, that all the contamination is on the edible part.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/115  1.2.4 Pistac hios placed on the market for final consumer or use as ingredient in 
foods5,0 If tree nuts ‘in shell’ are analysed, it is assumed, when calculating the ochrat oxin 
A cont ent, that all the contamination is on the edible part.
1.2.5 Dried herbs 10,0
1.2.6 Ginger roots (dried) for use in herbal infusions 15
1.2.7 Marshmallo w roots (dried), dandelion roots (dried) and orange blossoms 
(dried) for use in herbal infusions or in coffe e substitut es20
1.2.8 Sunf lowe r seeds, pumpk in seeds, (water) melon seeds, hempseeds, soybeans 5,0
1.2.9 Unprocessed cereal grains 5,0 The maximum level applies to unprocessed cereal grains placed on the mark et 
before first-stage processing (6).
1.2.10 Products derived from unprocessed cereal grains and cereals placed on the 
mark et for the final consumer excep t products listed in 1.2.11, 1.2.12, 
1.2.13, 1.2.23 and 1.2.243,0 Including processed cereal products.
Products derived from unprocessed cereal grains relate to products containing at 
least 80 % cereal products.
1.2.11 Baker y wares, cereal snac ks and breakf ast cereals
1.2.11.1 products not containing oilseeds, nuts or dried fruits 2,0
1.2.11.2 products containing at least 20 % dried vine fruits and/or dried figs 4,0
1.2.11.3 other products containing oilseeds, nuts and/or dried fruits 3,0
1.2.12 Non-alcoholic malt beverag es 3,0
1.2.13 Wheat gluten not placed on the market for the final consumer 8,0
1.2.14 Roasted coffe e beans and ground roaste d coffee excep t products listed 
in 1.2.153,0
1.2.15 Soluble coffee (instant coffee) 5,0
1.2.16 Cocoa powder 3,0
1.2.17 Dried spices excep t products listed in 1.2.18 15 The maximum level applies also to mixtures of dried spices.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/116 5.5.2023  1.2.18 Capsicum spp. (dried fruits thereof, whole or ground, including chillies, chilli 
powder , cayenne or papr ika)20
1.2.19 Liquor ice (Glyc yrrhiza glabra, Glycyr rhiza inflata and other species)
1.2.19.1 Liquor ice root (dried), including as an ingredient in herbal infusions 20
1.2.19.2 Liquor ice extract for use in food in particular beverages and confecti onar y 80 The maximum level applies to the pure and undilute d extract, whereby 1 kg of 
extract is obtained from 3 to 4 kg liquor ice root.
1.2.19.3 Liquor ice confe ctioner y containing ≥ 97 % liquor ice extract on dry basis 50
1.2.19.4 Other liquor ice confecti oner y 10,0
1.2.20 Wine (7) and fruit wine 2,0 Including semi-sparkling and sparkling wines, excl uding liqueur wine and wine 
with an alcoholic strength of not less than 15 % vol.
The maximum level applies to products produced from the 2005 harvest 
onwar ds.
1.2.21 Aromatised wine, aromatised wine-based drinks and aromatised wine- 
product cocktails (8)2,0 The maximum level applies to products produced from the 2005 harvest 
onwar ds.
The maximum level applicable to these beverages is function of the propor tion 
of wine and/or grape must present in the finished product.
1.2.22 Grape juice, grape juice from concentrate, concentrat ed grape juice, grape 
nectar , grape must and concentrat ed grape must, placed on the market for 
the final consumer (9)2,0 For concentrat ed grape juice or concentrat ed grape must, the maximum level 
applies to juice or must as reconstituted .
The maximum level applies to products produced from the 2005 harvest 
onwar ds.
1.2.23 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children (3) 0,50 The maximum level applies to the dry matte r (5) of the product as placed on the 
mark et.
1.2.24 Food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children (3) 0,50 The maximum level applies in the case of milk, milk products and similar 
products to the products ready to use (placed on the market as such or 
reconstituted as instr ucted by the manufacturer) and in the case of products 
other than milk, milk products and similar products to the dry matt er (5).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/117  1.3 PatulinMaximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
1.3.1 Fruit juices, fruit juices from concentrat e, concentrat ed fruit juices and fruit 
nectars (9)50 For concentrat ed fruit juice, the maximum level applies to juice as reconstituted .
1.3.2 Spir it drinks (10), cider and other fermente d drinks derived from apples or 
containing apple juice50
1.3.3 Solid apple products placed on the mark et for the final consumer excep t 
products listed in 1.3.4 and 1.3.525 Including apple compot e and apple puree.
1.3.4 Apple juice and solid apple products for infants and young children (3) and 
labelled and placed on the mark et as such10,0 Including apple compot e and apple puree.
The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed on the market as 
such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the manufa cturer).
1.3.5 Baby food (3) 10,0 The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed on the market as 
such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the manufa cturer).
1.4 Deo xynivalenolMaximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
1.4.1 Unprocessed cereal grains excep t products listed in 1.4.2 and 1.4.3 1 250 Except unprocessed maize grains intended to be processed by wet milling and 
excep t rice.
The maximum level applies to unprocessed cereal grains placed on the mark et 
before first-stage processing (6).
1.4.2 Unprocessed durum wheat grains and oat grains 1 750 The maximum level applies to unprocessed cereal grains placed on the mark et 
before first-stage processing (6).
1.4.3 Unprocessed maize grains 1 750 Except unp rocessed maize grains for whic h it is evident e.g. through labelling or 
destination, that they are intended for use in a wet milling process only (starch 
production).
The maximum level applies to unprocessed maize grains placed on the mark et 
before first-stage processing (6).
1.4.4 Cereals placed on the mark et for the final consumer , cereal flour , semolina, 
bran and germ as final product placed on the market for the final consumer 
excep t products liste d in 1.4.7 and 1.4.8750 Except rice and rice products.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/118 5.5.2023  1.4.5 Pasta 750 Pasta means pasta (dry) with a water content of appro ximat ely 12 %.
1.4.6 Bread, pastr ies, biscuits, cereal snac ks and breakf ast cereals 500 Except rice products.
Including small baker y wares.
1.4.7 Milling products of maize not placed on the mark et for the final consumer
1.4.7.1 Maize flour not placed on the mark et for the final consumer 1 250 At least 90 %, measured by weight, of the particles in the milling product have a 
size ≤ 500 μm.
1.4.7.2 Other milling products of maize not placed on the mark et for the final 
consumer750 Less than 90 %, measured by weight, of the particles in the milling product have a 
size ≤ 500 μm.
1.4.8 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children (3) 200 Except rice products.
The maximum level applies to the dry matte r (5) of the product as placed on the 
mark et.
1.5 ZearalenoneMaximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
1.5.1 Unprocessed cereal grains excep t products listed in 1.5.2 100 Except unprocessed maize grains intended to be processed by wet milling and 
excep t rice.
The maximum level applies to unprocessed cereal grains placed on the mark et 
before first-stage processing (6).
1.5.2 Unprocessed maize grains 350 Except unprocessed maize grains for whic h it is evident e.g. through labelling, 
destination, that it is intended for use in a wet milling process only (starch 
production).
The maximum level applies to unprocessed maize grains placed on the mark et 
before first-stage processing (6).
1.5.3 Cereals placed on the mark et for the final consumer , cereal flour , semolina, 
bran and germ as final product placed on the market for the final consumer 
excep t products liste d in 1.5.5, 1.5.6 and 1.5.875 Except rice and rice products.
1.5.4 Bread, pastr ies, biscuits, cereal snac ks and breakf ast cereals excep t products 
liste d in 1.5.550 Except rice products.
Includes small baker y wares.
1.5.5 Maize placed on the mark et for the final consumer
Maize-based snac ks and maize-based breakfast cereals100EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/119  1.5.6 Milling products of maize not placed on the mark et for the final consumer
1.5.6.1 Maize flour not placed on the mark et for the final consumer 300 At least 90 %, measured by weight, of the particles in the milling product have a 
size ≤ 500 μm.
1.5.6.2 Other milling products of maize not placed on the mark et for the final 
consumer200 Less than 90 %, measured by weight, of the particles in the milling product have a 
size ≤ 500 μm.
1.5.7 Refin ed maize oil 400
1.5.8 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children (3) 20 Except rice products.
The maximum level applies to the dry matte r (5) of the product as placed on the 
mark et.
1.6 FumonisinsMaximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
Sum of B1 
and B2For the fumonisins, maximum levels refer to lowe r bound concentrations, whic h 
are calculated on the assump tion that all the values below the limit of 
quantifi cation are zero.
1.6.1 Unprocessed maize grains 4 000 Except unprocessed maize grains for whic h it is evident e.g. through labelling, 
destination, that it is intended for use in a wet milling process only (starch 
production).
The maximum level applies to unprocessed maize grains placed on the mark et 
before first-stage processing (6).
1.6.2 Maize placed on the mark et for the final consumer , milling products of maize 
placed on the market for the final consumer , maize-based food placed on the 
mark et for the final consumer excep t products listed in 1.6.3 and 1.6.51 000
1.6.3 Maize-based breakf ast cereals and maize-based snacks 800
1.6.4 Milling products of maize not placed on the mark et for the final consumer
1.6.4.1 Maize flour not placed on the mark et for the final consumer 2 000 At least 90 %, measured by weight, of the particles in the milling product have a 
size ≤ 500 μm.
1.6.4.2 Other milling products of maize not placed on the mark et for the final 
consumer1 400 Less than 90 %, measured by weight, of the particles in the milling product have a 
size ≤ 500 μm.
1.6.5 Baby food containing maize and processed maize-based food for infants and 
young children (3)200 The maximum level applies to the dry matte r (5) of the product as placed on the 
mark et.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/120 5.5.2023  1.7 Citr ininMaximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
1.7.1 Food supplements based on rice fermented with red yeast Monascus purpureus 100
1.8 Ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids
1.8.1 Ergot sclerotia Maximum level (g/kg) Remark s
The maximum level applies to unprocessed cereal grains 
placed on the market before first-stag e processing (6).
In case scour ing (6) is applied in the presence of ergot 
sclerotia, the cereals need to firstly undergo a cleaning 
step before scour ing.
The sampling shall be performe d in accordance with point 
B of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 401/2006.
1.8.1.1 Unprocessed cereal grains excep t products listed in 1.8.1.2 0,2 Except maize and rice.
1.8.1.2 Unprocessed rye grains 0,5
0,2 as from 1 July 2024
1.8.2 Ergot alkaloids Maximum level (μg/kg) Remark s
Lower bound sum of
ergocor nine/ergocor ninine; ergocr istine/ergocr isti­
nine; ergocr yptine/ergocry ptinine (α- and β-form); 
ergometr ine/ergometr inine; ergosine/ergosinine; 
ergotamine/ergotaminineFor the ergot alkaloids, maximum levels refer to lower 
bound concentrations, which are calculat ed on the 
assump tion that all the values below the limit of 
quantifi cation are zero.
1.8.2.1 Milling products of barle y, wheat, spelt and oats (with an 
ash content lower than 900mg/100g dry matte r)100
50 as from 1 July 2024EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/121  1.8.2.2 Milling products of barle y, wheat, spelt and oats (with an 
ash conte nt equal or higher than 900mg/100g dry matter)
Barle y, wheat, spelt and oats grains placed on the mark et 
for the final consumer150
1.8.2.3 Rye milling products
Rye placed on the mark et for the final consumer500
250 as from 1 July 2024
1.8.2.4 Wheat gluten 400
1.8.2.5 Processed cereal-based food for infants and young children 
(3)20 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the 
mark et.
2 Plant toxins
2.1 Erucic acid, including erucic acid bound in fatMaximum 
level (g/kg)Remark s
2.1.1 Vegetable oils and fats placed on the market for the final consumer or for use 
as an ingredient in food exce pt products listed in 2.1.220,0
2.1.2 Camelina oil, mustard oil and borage oil 50,0 With acceptance from the compet ent author ity, the maximum level does not 
apply to mustard oil locally produced and consumed.
2.1.3 Mustard (condiment) 35,0
2.2 Tropane alkaloids Maximum level (μg/kg) Remark s
Atropine Scopolamine
2.2.1 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young 
children (3), containing millet, sorghum, buckwheat , maize or their 
derived products1,0 1,0 Derived products relate to products containing at least 80 % these 
cereal products.
The sampling for the control of compl iance with the maximum level 
shall be performe d in accordance with the provi sions provided for in 
point J of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 401/2006.
The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/122 5.5.2023  Sum of atropine and 
scopolamineFor the sum of atropine and scopolamine, maximum levels refer to 
lowe r bound concentrations, whic h are calculat ed on the 
assump tion that all the values below the limit of quantifi cation are 
zero.
2.2.2 Unprocessed millet grains and sorghum grains 5,0 The maximum level applies to unprocessed cereal grains placed on 
the mark et before first-stag e processing (6).
2.2.3 Unprocessed maize grains 15 Except unpro cessed maize grains for which it is evident e.g. through 
labelling, destination, that it is intended for use in a wet milling 
process only (starch production) and excep t unp rocessed maize 
grains for popping.
The maximum level applies to unprocessed maize grains placed on 
the mark et before first-stag e processing (6).
2.2.4 Unprocessed buckwheat grains 10 The maximum level applies to unprocessed buckwheat grains placed 
on the mark et before first-stag e processing (6).
2.2.5 Maize for popping
Millet, sorghum and maize placed on the market for the final 
consumer
Milling products of millet, sorghum and maize5,0
2.2.6 Buckwhea t placed on the mark et for the final consumer
Milling products of buckwheat10
2.2.7 Herbal infusions (dried product) and ingredients used for herbal 
infusions (dried products) excep t products liste d in 2.2.825 ‘Herbal infusions (dried product)’ refers to:
— herbal infusions (dried product) from flowers, leav es, stalks, 
roots, and any other parts of the plant (in sachets or in bulk) 
used for the preparation of herbal infusion (liquid product); and
—instant herbal infusions. In the case of powdered extracts, a con­
centration factor of 4 has to be applied.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/123  2.2.8 Herbal infusions (dried product) and ingredients used for herbal 
infusions (dried products) of excl usively anise seeds50 ‘Herbal infusions (dried product)’ refers to:
— herbal infusions (dried product) from flowers, leav es, stalks, 
roots, and any other parts of the plant (in sachets or in bulk) 
used for the preparation of herbal infusion (liquid product); and
—instant herbal infusions. In the case of powdered extracts, a con­
centration factor of 4 has to be applied.
2.2.9 Herbal infusions (liquid product) 0,20
2.3Hydrocyanic acid, including hydrocyanic acid bound in cyanogenic 
glycosidesMaximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
2.3.1 Unprocessed whole, ground, milled, crac ked, chopped linseed not placed on 
the mark et for the final consumer250 The maximum levels do not apply to oilseeds for crushing and oil refining, 
provid ed that the remaining pressed oilseeds are not placed on the market as 
food. In case the remaining pressed oilseeds are placed on the market as food, 
the maximum levels apply taking into account Article 3(1) and (2).
2.3.2 Unprocessed whole, ground, milled, crac ked, chopped linseed placed on the 
mark et for the final consumer150 The maximum level does not apply to unprocessed whole, ground, milled, 
crack ed, chopped linseed placed on the market for the final consumer in small 
quantities where the warning ‘Only to be used for cooking and baking. Do not 
consume raw!’ appears in the principal field of vision of the label (using the 
specifi c font size (11)). The unprocessed whole, ground, milled, crack ed, 
chopped linseed with the warning message has to compl y with the maximum 
level provid ed for in 2.3.1.
2.3.3 Unprocessed whole, ground, milled, crack ed, chopped almonds placed on 
the mark et for the final consumer35 The maximum level does not apply to unprocessed whole, ground, milled, 
crack ed, chopped bitter almonds placed on the market for the final consumer 
in small quantities where the warning ‘Only to be used for cooking and baking. 
Do not consume raw!’ appears in the principal field of vision of the label (using 
the specifi c font size (11)).
2.3.4 Unprocessed whole, ground, milled, crack ed, chopped apricot kern els placed 
on the mark et for the final consumer20,0 The operator who places unprocessed whole, ground, milled, crack ed, chopped 
apricot kernels on the mark et for the final consumer shall provide upon request 
from the compet ent author ity evidence of compl iance of the mark eted product 
with the maximum level.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/124 5.5.2023  2.3.5 Cassav a root (fresh, peeled) 50,0
2.3.6 Cassav a flour and tapioca flour 10,0
2.4 Pyrrolizidine alka loids Maximum level (μg/kg) Remark s
The maximum level refers to the lowe r bound sum of the 
followi ng 21 pyrrolizidine alkaloids:
—interm edine/ly copsamine, interm edine-N-o xide/ly copsa ­
mine-N-o xide, senecionine/seneciver nine, senecionine- 
N-oxide/seneciver nine-N-o xide, seneciph ylline, seneci ­
phylline-N-o xide, retrorsine, retrorsine-N-o xide, echi mi­
dine, echi midine-N-o xide, lasiocar pine, lasiocar pine-N- 
oxide, senkirkine, europine, europine-N-o xide, heliotr ine 
and heliotr ine-N-o xide
and the followi ng additional 14 pyrrolizidine alkaloids 
known to co-elut e with one or more of the abov e identi ­
fied 21 pyrrolizidine alkaloids, making use of certain cur­
rently used analytical methods:
— indicine, echinatine, rinder ine (possible co-elution with 
lycopsamine/interm edine), indicine-N-o xide, echinatine- 
N-oxide, rinder ine-N-o xide (possible co-elution with 
lycopsamine-N-o xide/inter medine-N-o xide), integ erri­
mine (possible co-elution with seneciver nine/senecio ­
nine), integ errimine-N-o xide (possible co-elution with 
seneciver nine-N-o xide/senecionine-N-o xide), heliosupine 
(possible co-elution with echi midine), heliosupine-N- 
oxide (possible co-elution with echi midine-N-o xide), 
spar tioidine (possible co-elution with seneciph ylline), 
spar tioidine-N-o xide (possible co-elution with seneci ­
phylline-N-o xide), usaramine (possible co-elution with 
retrorsine), usaramine N-oxide (possible co-elution with 
retrorsine N-oxide).
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be individually and 
separately identified with the used method of analysis, shall be 
quantifi ed and included in the sum.For the pyrrolizidine alkaloids, maximum levels refer to 
lowe r bound concentrations, which are calculat ed on 
the assum ption that all the values below the limit of 
quantifi cation are zero.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/125  2.4.1 Borage leav es (fresh, frozen) placed on the mark et for 
the final consumer750 Without prejudice to more restr ictive national rules in 
certain Member State s on the placing of the market of 
pyrrolizidine alkaloid containing plants.
2.4.2 Dried herbs exce pt products listed in 2.4.3 400 Without prejudice to more restr ictive national rules in 
certain Member State s on the placing of the market of 
pyrrolizidine alkaloid containing plants.
2.4.3 Borage, lovage, mar joram and oregano (dried product) 
and mixtures excl usively composed of these dried 
herbs1 000 Without prejudice to more restr ictive national rules in 
certain Member State s on the placing of the market of 
pyrrolizidine alkaloid containing plants.
2.4.4 Tea (Camellia sinensis) and flavoured tea (12) (Camellia 
sinensis) (dried product) excep t tea and flavour ed tea 
refer red to in 2.4.5150 For teas with dried fruits and dried herbs, Article 3 
applies.
‘Tea (Camellia sinensis) (dried product)’ refers to:
— tea (Camellia sinensis) (dried product) from dried 
leav es, stalks and flowe rs (in sache ts or in bulk) 
used for the preparation of tea (liquid product); and
— instant teas. In the case of powdered tea extracts, a 
concentration factor of 4 has to be applied.
2.4.5 Tea (Camellia sinensis), flavoured tea (12) (Camellia 
sinensis) and herbal infusions (dried product) and 
ingredients used for herbal infusions (dried products) 
for infants and young children75 For teas with dried fruits and dried herbs, Article 3 
applies.
2.4.6 Tea (Camellia sinensis), flavoured tea (12) (Camellia 
sinensis) and herbal infusions (liquid product) for 
infants and young children1,0 For teas with dried fruits and dried herbs, Article 3 
applies.
2.4.7 Herbal infusions (dried product) and ingredients used 
for herbal infusions (dried products) exce pt products 
liste d in 2.4.5 and 2.4.8200 ‘Herbal infusions (dried product)’ refers to:
— herbal infusions (dried product) from flowers, 
leav es, stalks, roots, and any other parts of the 
plant (in sache ts or in bulk) used for the preparation 
of herbal infusion (liquid product); andEN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/126 5.5.2023  — instant herbal infusions. In the case of powdered 
extracts, a concentration factor of 4 has to be 
applied.
Without prejudice to more restr ictive national rules in 
certain Member State s on the placing of the market of 
pyrrolizidine alkaloid containing plants.
2.4.8 Herbal infusions (dried product) and ingredients used 
for herbal infusions (dried products) of rooibos, anise 
(Pimpinella anisum), lemon balm, chamomile, thyme, 
pepper mint, lemon verbena and mixtures exclusively 
compo sed of these dried herbs excep t herbal infusions 
refer red to in 2.4.5400 ‘Herbal infusions (dried product)’ refers to:
— herbal infusions (dried product) from flowers, 
leav es, stalks, roots, and any other parts of the 
plant (in sache ts or in bulk) used for the preparation 
of herbal infusion (liquid product); and
— to instant herbal infusions. In the case of powdered 
extracts, a concentration factor of 4 has to be 
applied.
2.4.9 Cumin 400
2.4.10 Food supplements containing botanical preparation 
(13) including extracts excep t products liste d in 2.4.11400 The maximum level applies to the food supplements as 
placed on the market.
Without prejudice to more restr ictive national rules in 
certain Member State s on the placing of the market of 
pyrrolizidine alkaloid containing plants.
2.4.11 Pollen based food supplements
Pollen and pollen products500 The maximum level applies to the food supplements as 
placed on the market.
2.5 Opium alka loidsMaximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
For the opium alkaloids, maximum levels refer to lower bound concentrations, 
which are calculated on the assum ption that all the values below the limit of 
quantifi cation are zero.
The maximum level refers to the sum of mor phine and codeine, for which a 
factor of 0,2 is applied to the level of codeine. Theref ore, the maximum level 
refers to the sum of mor phine + 0,2 × codeine.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/127  2.5.1 Whole, ground or milled popp y seeds placed on the mark et for the final 
consumer20
2.5.2 Baker y products containing popp y seeds or processed products thereof 1,50 Baker y products include also flour -based ready-to-ea t savouries and snac ks.
Processed products thereof relat e to products containing at least 80 % popp y 
seed products.
The food business operat or supplying the popp y seeds to the food business 
operat or manufactur ing the bakery products shall provide the necessar y 
information to enable the manuf acturer of the bakery products to place 
products on the mark et that compl y with the maximum level. This information 
shall include analytical data, where appropr iate.
2.6 Delta-9-t etrah ydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) equivalentsMaximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
For delta-9-te trahydrocannabinol (Δ9- THC) equivalents, maximum levels refer to 
lowe r bound concentrations, whic h are calculated on the assump tion that all the 
values below the limit of quantifi cation are zero.
The maximum level refers to the sum of delta-9-tetrah ydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) 
and delta-9-te trahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA), expressed as Δ9-THC.
A factor of 0,877 is applied to the level of Δ9-THCA and the maximum level refers 
to the sum of Δ9-THC + 0,877 × Δ9-THCA (in case of a separate deter mination 
and quantification of Δ9-THC and Δ9-THCA).
2.6.1 Hem p seeds 3,0
2.6.2 Ground hemp seeds, (par tially) defat ted hem p seed and other hem p seed 
processed products excep t products liste d in 2.6.33,0 Hem p seed processed products are products processed excl usively from hem p 
seeds.
2.6.3 Hem p seed oil 7,5EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/128 5.5.2023  3 Met als and other elements
3.1 Lead Maximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
3.1.1 Fruits The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.1.1.1 Cranber ries, currants, elderber ries and strawber ry tree fruits 0,20
3.1.1.2 Fruits other than cranber ries, currants, elderber ries and strawber ry tree fruits 0,10
3.1.2 Root and tuber vege tables The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.1.2.1 Root and tuber vege tables excep t products listed in 3.1.2.2 and 3.1.2.3 0,10 For potatoes , the maximum level applies to peeled potatoes .
3.1.2.2 Fresh ginge r, fresh turmer ic 0,80
3.1.2.3 Salsify 0,30
3.1.3 Bulb vegetables 0,10 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.1.4 Fruiting vegetables The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.1.4.1 Fruiting vegetables excep t products liste d in 3.1.4.2 0,050
3.1.4.2 Sweetcor n 0,10
3.1.5 Brassica vegetables The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.1.5.1 Brassica vegetables other than those listed in 3.1.5.2 0,10
3.1.5.2 Leafy brassica 0,30
3.1.6 Leaf vege tables excluding fresh herbs and edible flowers 0,30 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/129  3.1.7 Legume vege tables 0,10 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.1.8 Stem vegeta bles 0,10 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.1.9 Fungi The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.1.9.1 The followi ng cultivated fungi:
Common mushroom (Agaricus bispor us)
Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Shiitak e mushroom (Lentinula edodes)0,30
3.1.9.2 Wild fungi 0,80
3.1.10 Pulses 0,20
3.1.11 Cereals 0,20
3.1.12 Dried spices
3.1.12.1 Seed spices 0,90
3.1.12.2 Fruit spices 0,60
3.1.12.3 Bark spices 2,0
3.1.12.4 Root and rhizome spices 1,50
3.1.12.5 Bud spices 1,0
3.1.12.6 Flower pistil spices 1,0
3.1.13 Meat of bovine animals, sheep, pig and poultr y (2) excep t products liste d 
in 3.1.140,10 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
3.1.14 Offal (2) The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
3.1.14.1 of bovin e animals and sheep 0,20
3.1.14.2 of pig 0,15
3.1.14.3 of poultr y 0,10
3.1.15 Fisher y products (2) and bivalve molluscs (2) The maximum level applies to the wet weight.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/130 5.5.2023  3.1.15.1 Muscle meat of fish 0,30 Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level applies to the 
whole fish.
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.1.15.2 Cephalopods 0,30 The maximum level applies to the animal without viscera.
3.1.15.3 Crustaceans 0,50 The maximum level applies to muscle meat from appendages and abdomen, 
which means, that the cephalothorax of crustaceans is excl uded. In case of crabs 
and crab-lik e crustaceans (Brachyur a and Anomur a), the maximum level applies to 
the muscle meat from appendage s.
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.1.15.4 Bivalve molluscs 1,50 In case of Pecten maximus, the maximum level applies to the adduct or muscle and 
gonad only .
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.1.16 Raw milk (2), heat-treated milk and milk for the manuf acture of milk -based 
products0,020 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
3.1.17 Honey 0,10
3.1.18 Fats and oils 0,10 Including milk fat.
3.1.19 Fruit juices, fruit juices from concentrat e, concentrat ed fruit juices and fruit 
nectars (9)The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
For concentrated fruit juice, the maximum level applies to the reconstituted juice.
3.1.19.1 excl usively from berries and other small fruits 0,05
3.1.19.2 other than excl usively from berries and other small fruits, including mixtures 0,03
3.1.20 Wine (7), cider , perry and fruit wine The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
Including semi-sparkling and sparkling wines, excl uding liqueur wine and wine 
with an alcoholic strength of not less than 15 % vol.
3.1.20.1 products produced from the 2001 fruit harvest to the 2015 fruit harvest 0,20
3.1.20.2 products produced from the 2016 fruit harvest to the 2021 fruit harvest 0,15EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/131  3.1.20.3 products produced from the 2022 fruit harvest onwards 0,10
3.1.21 Aromatised wine, aromatised wine-based drinks and aromatised wine- 
product cocktails (8)The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
3.1.21.1 products produced from the 2001 fruit harvest to the 2015 fruit harvest 0,20
3.1.21.2 products produced from the 2016 fruit harvest to the 2021 fruit harvest 0,15
3.1.21.3 products produced from the 2022 fruit harvest onwards 0,10
3.1.22 Liqueur wine made from grapes (7) The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
3.1.22.1 products produced from the 2022 fruit harvest onwards 0,15
3.1.23 Salts
3.1.23.1 Salts excep t products listed in 3.1.23.2 1,0
3.1.23.2 The follo wing unrefin ed salts: ‘fleur de sel’ and ‘grey salt’ which are manually 
harveste d from salt marshes with a clay bottom2,0
3.1.24 Infant formulae, follow-on formulae (3) and young-c hild formulae (4) The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.1.24.1 placed on the market as powder 0,020
3.1.24.2 placed on the market as liquid 0,010
3.1.25 Drinks for infants and young children placed on the market and labelled as 
such exce pt products listed in 3.1.24 and 3.1.27
3.1.25.1 placed on the market as liquid or to be reconstitute d following instr uctions of 
the manufact urer0,020 Including fruit juices.
The maximum level applies to the products ready to use.
3.1.25.2 to be prepared by infusion or decoction 0,50 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.1.26 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children (3) 
excep t products liste d in 3.1.250,020 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.1.27 Food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children (3) The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/132 5.5.2023  3.1.27.1 placed on the market as powder 0,020
3.1.27.2 placed on the market as liquid 0,010
3.1.28 Food supplements 3,0
3.2 CadmiumMaximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
3.2.1 Fruits and tree nuts The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.1.1 Fruits excep t products liste d in 3.2.1.2, 3.2.1.3 and 3.2.1.4 0,050
3.2.1.2 Citrus fruits, pome fruits, ston e fruits, table olives, kiwi fruits, bananas, 
mangoes, papa yas and pineapples0,020
3.2.1.3 Berries and small fruits, excep t products listed in 3.2.1.4 0,030
3.2.1.4 Raspber ries 0,040
3.2.1.5 Tree nuts The maximum levels do not apply to tree nuts for crushing and oil refining, 
provid ed that the remaining pressed tree nuts are not placed on the mark et as 
food. In case the remaining pressed tree nuts are placed on the market as food, 
the maximum levels apply , taking into account Article 3(1) and (2).
3.2.1.5.1 Tree nuts excep t products listed in 3.2.1.5.2 0,20
3.2.1.5.2 Pine nuts 0,30
3.2.2 Root and tuber vege tables The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.2.1 Root and tuber vegetables excep t products listed in 3.2.2.2, 3.2.2.3, 3.2.2.4, 
3.2.2.5 and 3.2.2.60,10 For potatoes , the maximum level applies to peeled potatoes .
3.2.2.2 Beetroots 0,060
3.2.2.3 Celer iac 0,15
3.2.2.4 Horseradish, parsnips, salsify 0,20EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/133  3.2.2.5 Radishes 0,020
3.2.2.6 Tropical roots and tubers, parsle y roots, turnips 0,050
3.2.3 Bulb vegetables The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.3.1 Bulb vegetables excep t products liste d in 3.2.3.2 0,030
3.2.3.2 Garlic 0,050
3.2.4 Fruiting vegetables The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.4.1 Fruiting vegetables excep t products liste d in 3.2.4.2 0,020
3.2.4.2 Aube rgines 0,030
3.2.5 Brassica vegetables The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.5.1 Brassica excep t products listed in 3.2.5.2 0,040
3.2.5.2 Leafy brassica 0,10
3.2.6 Leaf vege tables and herbs The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.6.1 Leaf vege tables excep t products listed in 3.2.6.2 0,10
3.2.6.2 Spinache s and similar leaves, mustard seedlings and fresh herbs 0,20
3.2.7 Legume vege tables 0,020 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.8 Stem vegeta bles The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.8.1 Stem vegeta bles excep t products listed in 3.2.8.2 and 3.2.8.3 0,030
3.2.8.2 Celer ies 0,10EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/134 5.5.2023  3.2.8.3 Leek s 0,040
3.2.9 Fungi The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
The maximum level applies after washing and separating the edible part.
3.2.9.1 Cultivated fungi excep t products listed in 3.2.9.2 0,050
3.2.9.2 Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Shiitak e mushroom (Lentinula edodes)0,15
3.2.9.3 Wild fungi 0,50
3.2.10 Pulses and prote ins from pulses
3.2.10.1 Pulses excep t products listed in 3.2.10.2 0,040
3.2.10.2 Proteins from pulses 0,10
3.2.11 Oilseeds The maximum levels do not apply to oilseeds for crushing and oil refining, 
provid ed that the remaining pressed oilseeds are not placed on the market as 
food. In case the remaining pressed oilseeds are placed on the market as food, 
the maximum levels apply , taking into account Article 3(1) and (2).
3.2.11.1 Oilseeds excep t products liste d in 3.2.11.2, 3.2.11.3, 3.2.11.4, 3.2.11.5 
and 3.2.11.60,10
3.2.11.2 Rape seeds 0,15
3.2.11.3 Peanuts and soy beans 0,20
3.2.11.4 Mustard seeds 0,30
3.2.11.5 Linseeds and sunf lower seeds 0,50
3.2.11.6 Popp y seeds 1,20
3.2.12 Cereals The maximum levels do not apply to cereals used for the production of beer or 
distillate s, provid ed that the remaining cereal residue is not placed on the mark et 
as food. In case the remaining cereal residue is placed on the market as food, the 
maximum levels apply , taking into account Article 3(1) and (2).
3.2.12.1 Cereals excep t products liste d in 3.2.12.2, 3.2.12.3, 3.2.12.4 and 3.2.12.5 0,10
3.2.12.2 Barle y and rye 0,050EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/135  3.2.12.3 Rice, quinoa, wheat bran and wheat gluten 0,15
3.2.12.4 Dur um wheat (Triticum durum) 0,18
3.2.12.5 Wheat germ 0,20
3.2.13 Products of animal origin (2) The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
3.2.13.1 Meat of bovine animals, sheep, pig and poultr y 0,050 Except offal.
3.2.13.2 Horsemeat 0,20 Except offal.
3.2.13.3 Liver of bovine animals, sheep, pig, poultr y and horse 0,50
3.2.13.4 Kidney of bovine animals, sheep, pig, poultr y and horse 1,0
3.2.14 Fisher y products (2) and bivalve molluscs (2) The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
3.2.14.1 Muscle meat of fish excep t species liste d in 3.2.14.2, 3.2.14.3 and 3.2.14.4 0,050 Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level applies to the 
whole fish.
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.2.14.2 Muscle meat of the followi ng fish:
Mack erel (Scomber species)
Tuna (Thunnus species, Katsuwo nus pelamis, Euthynnus species)
Bich ique (Sicy opter us lagocephalus)0,10 Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level applies to the 
whole fish.
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.2.14.3 Muscle meat of bullet tuna (Auxis species) 0,15 Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level applies to the 
whole fish.
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.2.14.4 Muscle meat of the followi ng fish:
Ancho vy (Eng raulis species)
Sword fish (Xiphias gladius)
Sardine (Sardina pilchar dus)0,25 Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level applies to the 
whole fish.
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.2.14.5 Crustaceans 0,50 The maximum level applies to muscle meat from appendages and abdomen, 
which means that the cephalothorax of crustaceans is excl uded. In case of crabs 
and crab-lik e crustaceans (Brachyur a and Anomur a) the maximum level applies to 
the muscle meat from appendage s.
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/136 5.5.2023  3.2.14.6 Bivalve molluscs 1,0 In case of Pecten maximus, the maximum level applies to the adduct or muscle and 
gonad only .
In case of dried, diluted, processed and/or compo und food, Articles 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.2.14.7 Cephalopods 1,0 The maximum level applies to the animal without viscera.
In case of dried, diluted, processed and/or compo und food, Articles 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.2.15 Cocoa and chocolate products (14)
3.2.15.1 Milk chocolate with < 30 % total dry cocoa solids 0,10
3.2.15.2 Chocolate with < 50 % total dry cocoa solids; milk chocolat e with ≥ 30 % 
total dry cocoa solids0,30
3.2.15.3 Chocolate with ≥ 50 % total dry cocoa solids 0,80
3.2.15.4 Cocoa powder placed on the mark et for the final consumer or as an 
ingredient in sweetened cocoa powder or powdered chocolate placed on 
the mark et for the final consumer (drinking chocolat e)0,60
3.2.16 Salt 0,50
3.2.17 Infant formulae, follo w-on formulae, food for special medical purposes 
intended for infants and young children (3) and young-c hild formulae (4)The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.2.17.1 placed on the market as powder and manufactured from cows' milk proteins 
or cow’s milk prot ein hydrolysate s0,010
3.2.17.2 placed on the market as liquid and manufactured from cows' milk prote ins or 
cow’s milk protein hydrolysat es0,005
3.2.17.3 placed on the mark et as powder and manufactured from soy prot ein isolat es, 
alone or in a mixture with cows' milk prote ins0,020
3.2.17.4 placed on the mark et as liquid and manuf actured from soy protein isolat es, 
alone or in a mixture with cows' milk prote ins0,010
3.2.18 Young-child formulae (4) The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.2.18.1 placed on the mark et as powder and manufactured from plant protein 
isolate s other than soy protein isolates, alone or in a mixture with cow’s 
milk prote ins0,020EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/137  3.2.18.2 placed on the market as liquid and manufactured from plant protein isolates 
other than soya prot ein isolate s, alone or in a mixture with cow’s milk 
prote ins0,010
3.2.19 Drinks for infants and young children labelled and placed on the market as 
such exce pt products listed in 3.2.17 and 3.2.18
3.2.19.1 placed on the market as liquid or to be reconstitute d following instr uctions of 
the manufact urer0,020 Including fruit juices.
The maximum level applies to the products ready to use.
3.2.20 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children (3) 0,040 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.2.21 Food supplements
3.2.21.1 Food supplements excep t products listed in 3.2.21.2 1,0
3.2.21.2 Food supplements consisting at least of 80 % from dried seaweed, from 
products derived from seaweed or from dried bivalve molluscs (2)3,0
3.3 Mercur yMaximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
3.3.1 Fisher y products (2) and bivalve molluscs (2) The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level applies to the 
whole fish.
In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, Article 3(1) and (2) 
apply .
3.3.1.1 Crustaceans, molluscs and muscle meat of fish excep t species listed in 3.3.1.2 
and 3.3.1.30,50 For crustaceans, the maximum level applies to muscle meat from appendage s 
and abdomen, which means, that the cephalothorax of crustaceans is excl uded. 
In case of crabs and crab-like crustaceans (Brachyur a and Anomur a) the maximum 
level applies to the muscle meat from appendages .
In case of Pecten maximus, the maximum level applies to the adduct or muscle and 
gonad only .EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/138 5.5.2023  3.3.1.2 Muscle meat of following fish:
Axillar y seabream (Pagellus acarne)
Black scabbardf ish (Aphanopus carbo)
Blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo)
Bonito (Sarda sarda)
Common pandora (Pagellus erythrinus)
Escolar (Lepidocybium flavobr unneum)
Halibut (Hippoglossus species)
Kingklip (Genypter us capensis)
Marlin (Mak aira species)
Megr im (Lepidorhombus species)
Oilf ish (Ruvettus pretiosus)
Orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus)
Pink cusk -eel (Genypter us blacodes)
Pike (Esox species)
Plain bonito (Orcynopsis unicolor)
Poor cod (Trisopter us species)
Red mullet (Mullus barbatus barbatus)
Roundnose grenadier (Cor yphaenoides rupestr is)
Sail fish (Istiophor us species)
Silver scabbardfish (Lepidopus caudatus)
Snake mack erel (Gemp ylus serpens)
Sturgeon (Aci penser species)
Surmullet (Mullus surmuletus)
Tuna (Thunnus species, Euthynnus species, Katsuwo nus pelamis)
Shark (all species)
Sword fish (Xiphias gladius)1,0
3.3.1.3 Cephalopods
Mar ine gastropods
Muscle meat of the followi ng fish:
Ancho vy (Eng raulis species)
Alaska polloc k (Ther agra chalcog ramma)
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Atlantic herring (Clupea haren gus)
Basa (Pangasius bocour ti)
Carp (species belonging to the Cypr inidae family)
Common dab (Limanda limanda)
Mack erel (Scomber species)
European flounder (Platichthys flesus)
European plaice (Pleur onectes platessa)
European sprat (Sprattus sprattus)
Mek ong giant catfi sh (Pangasianodon gigas)
Polloc k (Pollachius pollachius)0,30 For cephalopods, the maximum level applies to the animal without viscera.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/139  Saithe (Pollachius virens)
Salmon & Trout (Salmo species and Oncorhynchus species, exce pt Salmo trutta)
Sardine or Pilch ard (Dussumier ia species, Sardina species, Sardinella species 
and Sardinops species)
Sole (Solea Solea)
Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypopthalmus)
Whiting (Merlangius merlangus)
3.3.2 Food supplements 0,10
3.3.3 Salt 0,10
3.4 ArsenicMaximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
Inorg anic 
arsenic (sum 
of As(III) and 
As(V))The maximum level for inorganic arsenic applies to products listed in 3.4.1 to 
3.4.4.
3.4.1 Cereals and cereal based products Rice, husk ed rice, milled rice and parboiled rice as defined in Codex Standard 
198-1995.
3.4.1.1 Non-parboiled milled rice (polished or whit e rice) 0,15
3.4.1.2 Parboiled rice and husked rice 0,25
3.4.1.3 Rice flour 0,25
3.4.1.4 Rice waff les, rice wafers, rice crack ers, rice cake s, rice flakes and popped 
breakf ast rice0,30
3.4.1.5 Rice destined for the production of food for infants and young children (3) 0,10
3.4.1.6 Non-alcoholic rice-based drinks 0,030
3.4.2 Infant formulae, follow-on formulae and food for special medical purposes 
intended for infants and young children (3) and young child formulae (4)The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/140 5.5.2023  3.4.2.1 placed on the market as powder 0,020
3.4.2.2 placed on the market as liquid 0,010
3.4.3 Baby food (3) 0,020 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.4.4 Fruit juices, concentrat ed fruit juices as reconstituted and fruit nectars (9) 0,020
Total arsenic The maximum level for total arsenic applies to products listed in 3.4.5.
3.4.5 Salt 0,50
3.5 Tin (inorganic)Maximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
3.5.1 Canned food excep t products listed in 3.5.2, 3.5.3, 3.5.4 and 3.5.5 200 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
3.5.2 Canned beverages excep t products listed in 3.5.3, 3.5.4 and 3.5.5 100 The maximum level applies to the wet weight.
Including fruit juices and vege table juices.
3.5.3 Canned infant formulae, canned follow-on formulae (3) and canned young- 
child formulae (4)50 Except canned dried and canned powdered products.
The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.5.4 Canned baby food and canned processed cereal-based food for infants and 
young children (3)50 Except canned dried and canned powdered products.
The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
3.5.5 Canned food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young 
children (3)50 Except canned dried and canned powdered products.
The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/141  4 Halogenated persis tent organic pollut ants
4.1 Dio xins and PCBs Maximum level Remarks
Sum of 
dioxins 
(pg WHO- 
PCDD/F - 
TEQ/g) (15)Sum of 
dioxins and 
dioxin-like 
PCBs (pg 
WHO-PCDD/ 
F-PCB- TEQ/g) 
(15)Sum of non 
dioxin-like 
PCBs (ng/g) 
(15)Sum of non dioxin-like PCBs is of PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB138, 
PCB153 and PCB180 (ICES - 6).
Maximum levels refer to upper bound concentrations, which are 
calculated on the assum ption that all the values of the different 
cong eners below the limit of quantification are equal to the limit of 
quantification.
4.1.1 Meat and meat products excep t edible offal and products 
liste d in 4.1.3 and 4.1.4 (2)Maximum levels expressed on fat are not applicable for food 
containing < 2 % fat. For food containing less than 2 % fat, the 
maximum level applicable is the level on product basis 
corresponding to the level on product basis for the food 
containing 2 % fat, calculated from the maximum level 
established on fat basis, making use of follo wing formula: 
Maximum level expressed on product basis for food containing 
less than 2 % fat = maximum level expressed on fat for that food × 
0,02.
4.1.1.1 of bovin e, ovine and capr ine animals 2,5 pg/g fat 4,0 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat
4.1.1.2 of pigs 1,0 pg/g fat 1,25 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat
4.1.1.3 of poultr y 1,75 pg/g fat 3,0 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat
4.1.1.4 of horse 5,0 pg/g fat 10,0 pg/g fat -
4.1.1.5 of rabbit 1,0 pg/g fat 1,5 pg/g fat -
4.1.1.6 of wild boar (Sus scrofa) 5,0 pg/g fat 10,0 pg/g fat -
4.1.1.7 of wild game birds 2,0 pg/g fat 4,0 pg/g fat -
4.1.1.8 venison 3,0 pg/g fat 7,5 pg/g fat -EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/142 5.5.2023  4.1.2 Liver and derived products thereof
4.1.2.1 of bovin e and capr ine animals, pigs, poultr y and horse 0,30 pg/g wet 
weight0,50 pg/g wet 
weight3,0 ng/g wet 
weight
4.1.2.2 of ovine animals 1,25 pg/g wet 
weight2,00 pg/g wet 
weight3,0 ng/g wet 
weight
4.1.2.3 of wild game birds 2,5 pg/g wet 
weight5,0 pg/g wet 
weight-
4.1.3 Fat
4.1.3.1 of bovin e animals and sheep 2,5 pg/g fat 4,0 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat
4.1.3.2 of pigs 1,0 pg/g fat 1,25 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat
4.1.3.3 of poultr y 1,75 pg/g fat 3,0 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat
4.1.4 Mixed animal fats 1,5 pg/g fat 2,50 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat
4.1.5 Fisher y products (2) and bivalve molluscs (2) excep t products 
liste d in 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.1.8, 4.1.9 and 4.1.103,5 pg/g wet 
weight6,5 pg/g wet 
weight75ng/g wet 
weightIn case of fish, maximum level applies to muscle meat of fish.
Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level 
applies to the whole fish.
The maximum level for crustaceans applies to muscle meat from 
appendage s and abdomen, that means, that the cephalothorax of 
crustaceans is excl uded.
4.1.6 Muscle meat of wild caught fresh water fish and products 
thereof3,5 pg/g wet 
weight6,5 pg/g wet 
weight125 ng/g wet 
weightExcept diadromous fish species caught in fresh water and 
products thereof
Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level 
applies to the whole fish.
4.1.7 Muscle meat of wild caught spiny dogfi sh (Squalus acanthias) 
and products thereof3,5 pg/g wet 
weight6,5 pg/g wet 
weight200 ng/g wet 
weightEN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/143  4.1.8 Muscle meat of wild caught eel (Anguilla anguilla) and 
products thereof3,5 pg/g wet 
weight10,0 pg/g wet 
weight300 ng/g wet 
weight
4.1.9 Fish liver and derived products thereof exce pt products liste d 
in 4.1.10- 20,0 pg/g wet 
weight200 ng/g wet 
weightIn the case of canned fish liver , the maximum level applies to the 
whole edible content of the can.
4.1.10 Mar ine oils (fish body oil, fish liver oil and oils of other 
mar ine organisms placed on the mark et for the final 
consumer)1,75 pg/g fat 6,0 pg/g fat 200 ng/g fat
4.1.11 Raw milk (2) and dair y products (2) 2,0 pg/g fat 4,0 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat Including butter fat.
Maximum levels expressed on fat are not applicable for food 
containing < 2 % fat. For food containing less than 2 % fat, the 
maximum level applicable is the level on product basis 
corresponding to the level on product basis for the food 
containing 2 % fat, calculated from the maximum level 
established on fat basis, making use of follo wing formula: 
Maximum level expressed on product basis for food containing 
less than 2 % fat = maximum level expressed on fat for that food × 
0,02.
4.1.12 Eggs and egg products excep t goose eggs (2) 2,5 pg/g fat 5,0 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat Maximum levels expressed on fat are not applicable for food 
containing < 2 % fat. For food containing less than 2 % fat, the 
maximum level applicable is the level on product basis 
corresponding to the level on product basis for the food 
containing 2 % fat, calculated from the maximum level 
established on fat basis, making use of follo wing formula: 
Maximum level expressed on product basis for food containing 
less than 2 % fat = maximum level expressed on fat for that food × 
0,02.
4.1.13 Vegetable oils and fats 0,75 pg/g fat 1,25 pg/g fat 40ng/g fat
4.1.14 Food intended for infants and young children (3) 0,1 pg/g wet 
weight0,2 pg/g wet 
weight1,0 ng/g wet 
weightThe maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed 
on the mark et as such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the 
manuf acturer).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/144 5.5.2023  4.2 Perf luoroalkyl subst ances Maximum level (μg/kg) Remarks
PFOS PFOA PFNA PFHxSSum of PFOS, 
PFO A, PFNA 
and PFHxSThe maximum level applies to the wet weight.
PFOS: perf luorooctane sulfonic acid
PFO A: perf luorooctanoic acid
PFNA: perf luorononanoic acid
PFHxS: perf luorohexane sulfonic acid
For PFOS, PFO A, PFNA, PFHxS and their sum, the maximum level 
refers to the sum of linear and branched stereo isomers, whether 
they are chromat ographically separated or not.
For the sum of PFOS, PFO A, PFNA and PFHxS, maximum levels 
refer to lower bound concentrations, which are calculated on the 
assump tion that all the values below the limit of quantification are 
zero.
4.2.1 Meat and edible offal (2)
4.2.1.1 Meat of bovine animals, pig and 
poultr y0,30 0,80 0,20 0,20 1,3
4.2.1.2 Meat of sheep 1,0 0,20 0,20 0,20 1,6
4.2.1.3 Offal of bovine animals, sheep, pig 
and poultr y6,0 0,70 0,40 0,50 8,0
4.2.1.4 Meat of game animals, with the 
excep tion of bear meat5,0 3,5 1,5 0,60 9,0
4.2.1.5 Offal of game animals, with the 
excep tion of bear offal50 25 45 3,0 50
4.2.2 Fisher y products (2) and bivalve 
molluscs (2)In case of dried, dilut ed, processed and/or compo und food, 
Article 3(1) and (2) apply .
4.2.2.1 Fish meat Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level 
applies to the whole fish.
4.2.2.1.1 Muscle meat of fish, excep t 
products listed in 4.2.2.1.2 
and 4.2.2.1.3
Muscle meat of fish listed 
in 4.2.2.1.2 and 4.2.2.1.3, in case 
it is intended for the production of 
food for infants and young 
children2,0 0,20 0,50 0,20 2,0EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/145  4.2.2.1.2 Muscle meat of the followi ng fish, 
in case it is not intended for the 
production of food for infants and 
young children:
Baltic herring (Clupea haren gus 
membr as)
Bonito (Sarda and Orcynopsis 
species)
Burbot (Lota lota)
European sprat (Sprattus sprattus)
Flounder (Platichthys flesus and 
Glyptocephalus cynog lossus)
Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus)
Horse mack erel (Trachur us 
trachur us)
Pike (Esox species)
Plaice (Pleur onectes and 
Lepidopsetta species)
Sardine and pilch ard (Sardina 
species)
Seabass (Dicentr archus species)
Sea catfish (Silur us and Pangasius 
species)
Sea lampre y (Petromyzon marinus)
Tench (Tinca tinca)
Vendace (Cor egonus albula and 
Core gonus vandesius )
Silverly lightf ish (Phosichthys 
argenteus)
Wild salmon and wild trout (wild 
Salmo and Oncorhynchus species)
Wolf fish (Anarhichas species)7,0 1,0 2,5 0,20 8,0EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/146 5.5.2023  4.2.2.1.3 Muscle meat of the followi ng fish, 
in case it is not intended for the 
production of food for infants and 
young children:
Ancho vy (Eng raulis species)
Babel (Barbus barbus)
Bream (Abr amis species)
Char (Salvelinus species)
Eel (Anguilla species)
Pike -perch (Sander species)
Perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Roach (Rutilus rutilus)
Smelt (Osmer us species)
White fish (Coregon us species other 
than those listed in 4.2.2.1.2)35 8,0 8,0 1,5 45
4.2.2.2 Crustaceans and bivalve molluscs 3,0 0,70 1,0 1,5 5,0 For crustaceans, the maximum level applies to muscle meat 
from appendages and abdomen, that means, that the 
cephalothorax of crustaceans is excl uded. In case of crabs 
and crab-lik e crustaceans (Brachyur a and Anomur a), the 
maximum level applies to the muscle meat from appendage s.
In case of Pecten maximus, the maximum level applies to the 
adduct or muscle and gonad only .
For canned crustaceans, the maximum level applies to the 
whole content of the can. As regards the maximum level for 
the whole compo site product, Article 3(1), point (c) and 
Article 3(2) apply .
4.2.3 Eggs 1,0 0,30 0,70 0,30 1,7EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/147  5 Processing contamin ants
5.1 Poly cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Maximum level (μg/kg) Remark s
Benzo(a) 
pyreneSum of PAHs: 
benzo(a) 
pyrene, benz(a) 
anthracene, 
benzo(b) 
fluoranthene 
and chryseneFor the sum of PAHs, maximum levels refer to lower bound 
concentrations, which are calculat ed on the assump tion that all the 
values of the four substances below the limit of quantifi cation are 
zero.
5.1.1 Banana chips 2,0 20,0
5.1.2 Powders of food of plant origin for the preparation of beverage s 
excep t products liste d in 5.1.4 and 5.1.510,0 50,0 The preparation of beverages refers to the use of powders that are 
finely ground and are stirred into drinks.
Except instant or soluble coffee.
5.1.3 Dried herbs 10,0 50,0 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
5.1.4 Cocoa beans and derived products excep t products listed in 5.1.5 5,0 μg/kg fat 30,0 μg/kg fat Including cocoa butt er.
5.1.5 Cocoa fibre and products derived from cocoa fibre intended for use 
as an ingredient in food3,0 15,0 Cocoa fibre is a specific cocoa product produced from the shell of the 
cocoa bean and contains higher levels of PAHs than the cocoa 
products produced from the cocoa nibs. The cocoa fibre and 
derived products are interm ediat e products in the production chain 
and are used as an ingredient in the preparation of low calor ie, high 
fibre food.
5.1.6 Smoke d meat and smoked meat products 2,0 12,0
5.1.7 Smoke d fisher y products (2) exce pt products listed in 5.1.8 2,0 12,0 In case of fish, the maximum level applies to muscle meat of fish.
Where fish are intende d to be eaten whole, the maximum level 
applies to the whole fish.
The maximum level for smoked crustaceans applies to muscle meat 
from appendage s and abdomen, that means, that the cephalothorax 
of crustaceans is excluded. In case of smoked crabs and crab-lik e 
crustaceans (Brachyur a and Anomur a) it applies to muscle meat from 
appendages.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/148 5.5.2023  5.1.8 Smoke d sprats and canned smok ed sprats (Sprattus sprattus)
Smoke d Baltic herring ≤ 14 cm length and canned smoked Baltic 
herring ≤ 14 cm length (Clupea haren gus membr as)
Katsuobushi (dried bonito, Katsuwonus pelamis)
Bivalve molluscs (2) (fresh, chilled or frozen)
Heat treate d meat and heat treated meat products placed on the 
mark et for the final consumer5,0 30,0 Where fish are intende d to be eaten whole, the maximum level 
applies to the whole fish.
Meat and meat products that have undergone a heat treatment 
poten tially resulting in formation of PAH, i.e. only grilling and 
barbecuing.
For the canned products, the maximum level applies to the whole 
conte nt of the can. As rega rds the maximum level for the whole 
compo site product, Article 3(1), point (c) and Article 3(2) apply .
5.1.9 Smoke d bivalve molluscs (2) 6,0 35,0
5.1.10 Dried spices 10,0 50,0 Except cardamom and smoke d Capsicum spp.
The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
5.1.11 Oils and fats placed on the mark et for the final consumer or use as 
an ingredient in food2,0 10,0 Except cocoa butt er and coconut oil.
This maximum level applies to vegeta ble oils used as an ingredient in 
food supplements.
5.1.12 Coconut oil placed on the mark et for the final consumer or use as an 
ingredient in food2,0 20,0
5.1.13 Infant formulae, follo w-on formulae (3) and young-c hild formulae (4) 1,0 1,0 The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed on 
the market as such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the 
manufact urer).
5.1.14 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young 
children (3)1,0 1,0 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
5.1.15 Food for special medical purposes intende d for infants and young 
children (3)1,0 1,0 The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed on 
the market as such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the 
manufact urer).
5.1.16 Food supplements containing botanicals and their preparations (13)
Food supplements containing propolis, royal jelly , spirulina or their 
preparations10,0 50,0 The maximum level does not apply to food supplements containing 
veget able oils. For vegetable oils used as an ingredient in food 
supplements, see point 5.1.11.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/149  5.2 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD)Maximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
5.2.1 Hydrolysed vegetable protein 20 The maximum level is given for the liquid product containing 40 % dry 
matte r, corresponding to a maximum level of 50 μg/kg in the dry matt er. The 
level needs to be adjusted propor tionally according to the dry matte r content 
of the products.
5.2.2 Soy sauce 20 The maximum level is given for the liquid product containing 40 % dry 
matte r, corresponding to a maximum level of 50 μg/kg in the dry matt er. The 
level needs to be adjusted propor tionally according to the dry matte r content 
of the products.
5.3Sum of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, 
expressed as 3-MCPDMaximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
For the sum of 3-monochlor opropanediol (3-MCPD) and 3-MCPD fatty acid 
esters, maximum levels refer to lower bound concentrations, whic h are 
calculat ed on the assum ption that all the values below the limit of 
quantifi cation are zero.
5.3.1 Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and oils from other mar ine organisms 
excep t products listed in 5.3.2 placed on the mark et for the final 
consumer or for use as an ingredient in food falling within the following 
catego ries:Except virgin olive oils (7).
5.3.1.1 oils and fats from coconut, maize, rapeseed, sunf lower, soybean, palm 
kernel and olive oils (com posed of refined olive oil and virgin olive oil) 
and mixtures of oils and fats with oils and fats only from this categor y1 250 Except virgin olive oils (7).
5.3.1.2 other vegetable oils, fish oils and oils from other mar ine organisms and 
mixtures of oils and fats with oils and fats only from this catego ry2 500 Including pomace olive oils.
5.3.1.3 mixtures of oils and fats from products listed in 5.3.1.1 and 5.3.1.2 - The oils and fats used as ingredient for the mixture shall compl y with the 
maximum level established for the oil and fat. Theref ore, the level of the 
sum of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, expressed as 3-MCPD in the 
mixture, shall not exceed the level calculat ed in accordance with Article 3(1), 
point (c).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/150 5.5.2023  In case the quantitative compo sition is not kno wn for the compet ent 
author ity and the food business operat or, not producing the mixture, the 
level of the sum of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, expressed as 
3-MCPD in the mixture shall in any case not exceed 2 500 μg/kg.
5.3.2 Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and oils from other mar ine organisms 
destined for the production of baby food and processed cereal-based food 
for infants and young children (3)750 When the product is a mixture of differ ent oils or fats of the same or of 
differ ent botanical origins, the maximum level applies for the mixture. The 
oils and fats used as ingredient for the mixture shall comply with the 
maximum level established for the oil and fat in point 5.3.1.
5.3.3 Infant formulae, follo w-on formulae and food for special medical purposes 
intended for infants and young children (3) and young-c hild formulae (4)The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
5.3.3.1 placed on the market as powder 125
5.3.3.2 placed on the market as liquid 15
5.4 Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidolMaximum 
level (μg/kg)Remark s
5.4.1 Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and oils from other mar ine organisms 
placed on the mark et for the final consumer or for use as an ingredient in 
food excep t products listed in 5.4.21 000 Except virgin olive oils (7).
5.4.2 Vegetable oils and fats, fish oils and oils from other mar ine organisms 
destined for the production of baby food and processed cereal-based food 
for infants and young children (3)500 When the product is a mixture of differ ent oils or fats of the same or of 
differ ent botanical origins, the maximum level applies for the mixture.
The oils and fats used as ingredient for the mixture shall compl y with the 
maximum level established for the oil and fat in point 5.4.1.
5.4.3 Infant formulae, follo w-on formulae and food for special medical purposes 
intended for infants and young children (3) and young-c hild formulae (4)The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
5.4.3.1 placed on the market as powder 50
5.4.3.2 placed on the market as liquid 6,0EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/151  6 Other contaminants
6.1 NitratesMaximum level
(mg NO 3/kg)
6.1.1 Fresh spinac h (Spinacia oleracea) 3 500 The maximum level does not apply for fresh spinach for processing, which is 
directly transpor ted in bulk from field to processing plant.
6.1.2 Preser ved, deep-frozen or frozen spinac h 2 000
6.1.3 Fresh lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) excep t products listed in 6.1.4
6.1.3.1 Lettuce grown under cover, harvested between 1 October and 31 March 5 000 Lettuce grown under cover has to be labelled as such; other wise the maximum 
level specified in 6.1.3.2 applies.
6.1.3.2 Lettuce grown in the open air, harveste d between 1 October and 31 March 4 000
6.1.3.3 Lettuce grown under cover, harvested between 1 Apr il and 30 Sept ember 4 000 Lettuce grown under cover has to be labelled as such; other wise the maximum 
level specified in 6.1.3.4 applies.
6.1.3.4 Lettuce grown in the open air, harvested between 1 Apr il and 30 Sept ember 3 000
6.1.4 ‘Iceberg’ type lettuce Including Grazer Krauthäup tl.
6.1.4.1 Lettuce grown under cover 2 500 Lettuce grown under cover has to be labelled as such; other wise the maximum 
level specified in 6.1.4.2 applies.
6.1.4.2 Lettuce grown in the open air 2 000
6.1.5 Rucola (Eruca sativa, Diplotaxis sp., Brassica tenuif olia, Sisymbr ium tenuif olium)
6.1.5.1 harveste d between 1 October and 31 March 7 000
6.1.5.2 harveste d between 1 Apr il and 30 Sept ember 6 000
6.1.6 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children 
(3)200 The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed on the mark et 
as such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the manufacturer).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/152 5.5.2023  6.2 MelamineMaximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
6.2.1 Food excep t products listed in 6.2.2 2,5 The maximum level does not apply to food for whic h it can be proven that the 
level of melamine higher than 2,5 mg/kg is the consequence of author ized use 
of cyromazine as insecticide. The melamine level shall not exceed the level of 
cyromazine.
6.2.2 Infant formulae, follow-on formulae (3) and young-c hild formulae (4) The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.
6.2.2.1 placed on the market as powder 1,0
6.2.2.2 placed on the market as liquid 0,15
6.3 PerchlorateMaximum 
level (mg/kg)Remark s
6.3.1 Fruits and vegetables excep t of products listed in 6.3.1.1 and 6.3.1.2 0,05
6.3.1.1 Cucurbitaceae and kale 0,10
6.3.1.2 Leaf vege tables and herbs 0,50
6.3.2 Tea (Camellia sinensis) (dried product)
Herbal and fruit infusions (dried product) and ingredients used for herbal 
and fruit infusions (dried products)0,75 ‘Herbal infusions (dried product)’ refers to:
— herbal infusions (dried product) from flowers, leav es, stalks, roots, and 
any other parts of the plant (in sachets or in bulk) used for the preparation 
of herbal infusion (liquid product); and
— instant herbal infusions. In the case of powdered extracts, a concentration 
factor of 4 has to be applied.
6.3.3 Infant formulae, follow-on formulae, food for special medical purposes 
intended for infants and young children (3) and young-c hild formulae (4)0,01 The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed on the mark et 
as such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the manufacturer).
6.3.4 Baby food (3) 0,02 The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed on the mark et 
as such or after reconstitution as instr ucted by the manufacturer).
6.3.5 Processed cereal-based food (3) 0,01 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the mark et.EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/153  (1)Fruits, tree nuts, vegetables, cereals, oilseeds and spices as liste d in the relevant catego ry as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council of 23 Febr uary 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC (OJ L 70, 
16.3.2005, p. 1). For the purpose of this Regulation tree nuts are not covered by the maximum level for fruits.
(2)Food as defined in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 Apr il 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal 
origin (OJ L 139, 30.4.2004, p. 55).
(3)Food as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on food intended for infants and young children, food for 
special medical purposes, and total diet replacement for weight control and repealing Council Directive 92/52/EEC, Commission Directives 96/8/EC, 1999/21/EC, 2006/125/EC 
and 2006/141/EC, Directive 2009/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulations (EC) No 41/2009 and (EC) No 953/2009 (OJ L181, 29.6.2013, 
p. 35).
(4)‘Young-c hild formulae ’ refers to milk -based drinks and similar prot ein-based products intended for young children. These products are outside the scope of Regulation (EU) 
No 609/2013 (Repor t from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on young-c hild formulae (COM(2016) 169 final) https://eur -lex.europa.eu/legal-c ontent/EN/ 
TXT/?ur i=CELEX%3A52016DC0169&qid=1620902871447 ).
(5)Dry matter is determined according to Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 of 23 Febr uary 2006 laying down the methods of sam pling and analysis for the official control of 
the levels of mycotoxins in foodstuffs (OJ L 70, 9.3.2006, p. 12).
(6)First stage processing means any physical or ther mal treatment, other than drying, of or on the grain. Cleaning, including scour ing, sorting (colour sorting where applicable) and drying 
procedures are not considered to be ‘first-stage processing’ insof ar as the whole grain remains intact after cleaning and sorting. Scour ing means cleaning cereal by brushing and/or 
scrubbing it vigorously , combined with dust remo val (e.g. aspiration). The scour ing could be followe d by a colour sorting before milling.
(7)Food as defined in Part II and Part VIII of Annex VII to Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common 
organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 
(OJ L 347 20.12.2013, p. 671 ).
(8)Food as defined in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) No 251/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 Febr uary 2014 on the definition, descr iption, presentation, labelling 
and the protection of geographical indications of aromatised wine products and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91 (OJ L 84, 20.3.2014, p. 14).
(9)Food as defined in Council Directive 2001/112/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intende d for human consump tion (OJ L 10, 12.1.2002, 
p. 58).
(10)Food as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 Apr il 2019 on the definition, descr iption, presentation and labelling of 
spirit drinks, the use of the names of spirit drinks in the presentation and labelling of other foodstuffs, the protection of geographical indications for spirit drinks, the use of ethyl 
alcohol and distillates of agricultural origin in alcoholic beverages, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 (OJ L 130, 17. 5. 2019, p.1).
(11)The font size as specif ied in Article 13(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information 
to consumers (OJ L 304 22.11.2011, p. 18).
(12)‘Flav oured tea’ is tea with a ‘flavouri ng’ or a ‘food ingredient with flavouring proper ties’ as defined in Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of 
the Council of 16 December 2008 on flavouri ngs and certain food ingredients with flavouri ng proper ties for use in and on foods and amending Council Regulation (EEC) 
No 1601/91, Regulations (EC) No 2232/96 and (EC) No 110/2008 and Directive 2000/13/EC (OJ L 354, 31.12.2008, p. 34).EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/154 5.5.2023  (13)Botanical preparations for food supplements are obtained from botanicals (e.g. whole, plant parts, fragment ed or cut plants) by various processes (e.g. pressing, squeezing, extraction, 
fractionation, distillation, concentration, drying up and fermentation). Botanical preparations include comminuted or powdered plants, plant parts, algae, fungi, liche n, tinctures, 
extracts, essential oils (other than the vegetable oils and fats (excluding butte r and coconut oil) intended for direct human consum ption or use as an ingredient in food), expressed 
juices and processed exudat es.
(14)‘Cocoa and choc olate products’ are any of the products defined in points 2, 3 and 4 of part A of Annex I to Directive 2000/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 
23 June 2000 relating to cocoa and chocolate products intended for human consum ption (OJ L 197, 3.8.2000, p. 19).
(15)WHO- TEQs: The sum of dioxins (poly chlor inated dibenzo-para-dio xins [PCDDs] and poly chlor inated dibenzofurans [PCDFs]) and the sum of dioxins and dioxin-like poly chlor inated 
biphen yls (PCBs) are calculat ed using the WHO-to xic equivalency factors (WHO- TEFs) and expressed as WHO toxic equivalents (WHO- TEQs). WHO- TEFs for human risk assessment 
are based on the conclusions of the World Health Organization (WHO) – International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) exper t meeting whic h was held in Geneva in June 2005 
(Van den Berg et al., The 2005 World Health Org anization Re-evaluation of Human and Mammalian Toxic Equivalency Fact ors for Dioxins and Dioxin-like Compounds. Toxicological 
Sciences 93[2], 223-241 [2006]).
Cong ener TEF value Congener TEF value
Dioxins ’Dio xin-like’ PCBs
Dibenzo-p-diox ins ("PCDDs") Non-or tho–substituted PCBs
2,3,7,8- TCDD 1 PCB 77 0,0001
1,2,3,7,8-P eCDD 1 PCB 81 0,0003
1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD 0,1 PCB 126 0,1
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD 0,1 PCB 169 0,03
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD 0,1
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD 0,01
OCDD 0,0003
Mono-or tho–substituted PCBs
2,3,7,8- TCDF 0,1 PCB 105 0,00003
1,2,3,7,8-P eCDF 0,03 PCB 114 0,00003
2,3,4,7,8-P eCDF 0,3 PCB 118 0,00003
1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF 0,1 PCB 123 0,00003
1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF 0,1 PCB 156 0,00003
1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF 0,1 PCB 157 0,00003EN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/155  Cong ener TEF value Congener TEF value
Dioxins ’Dio xin-like’ PCBs
2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF 0,1 PCB 167 0,00003
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF 0,01 PCB 189 0,00003
1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF 0,01
OCDF 0,0003
Abbreviations used: ‘T’ = tetra; ‘Pe’ = penta; ‘Hx’ = hexa; ‘Hp’ = hepta; ‘O’ = octa; ‘CDD’ = chlorodibenzodio xin; ‘CDF’ = chlorodibenzofuran; ‘CB’ = chlorobiphen ylEN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union L 119/156 5.5.2023  ANNEX II 
Cor relation table refer red to in Article 9
Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 This Regulation
Article 1 Article 2
Article 2(1), 2(2), 2(3) Article 3(1), 3(2), 3(3)
Article 2(4) Article 3(3)
Article 3(1), 3(2) Article 2(1), 2(2)
Article 3(3) Article 5(3)
Article 3(4) Article 4
Article 4 Article 5
Article 5 Article 6
Article 6 Annex I, points 6.1.3.1, 6.1.3.3, 6.1.4.1
Article 7 Article 7
Article 8 -
Article 9 Article 8
Article 10 Article 9
Article 11 Article 10
Article 12 Article 11
Annex Annex IEN Offi cial Jour nal of the European Union 5.5.2023 L 119/157