COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 11 January 1995 concerning a coordinated programme for the official control of foodstuffs for 1995 (95/77/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the second indent of Article 155 thereof,

Having regard to Council Directive 89/397/EEC of 14 June 1989 on the official control of foodstuffs (1), and in particular Article 14 (3) thereof,

After consultation with the Standing Committee for Foodstuffs,

Whereas it is necessary, with a view to the sound operation of the internal market, to arrange for coordinated food inspection programmes at Community level;

Whereas such programmes should not only establish compliance with the Community legislation but also serve for checking that the food is fit for consumption;

Whereas simultaneous implementation of national programmes and coordinated programmes can provide experience which is still widely lacking at present,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS THAT THE MEMBER STATES TAKE SAMPLES OF THE FOLLOWING PRODUCTS AND ANALYSE THE SPECIFIED PARAMETERS IN 1995:

1. adulteration of soluble coffee with non-bean material;

2. listera monocytogenes, escherichia coli and aeromonas in refrigerated salads and seasoned crudités;

3. botanic and geographical claims on honey, both Community produced as well as imported from third countries;

4. temperature of quick frozen foodstuffs, sold in the retail sector.

For the third consecutive time, a coordinated programme of inspections is recommended to the Member States as a consequence of Article 14 (3) of Directive 89/397/EEC. The subjects have been amply discussed with the Member States, and like last year, the subjects chosen cover the protection of public health and consumer interests, as well as fair trade.

Where appropriate, for each subject, a method of analysis is suggested. As far as sampling is concerned, no uniform rates have been set. The number of samples taken should be extensive enough to provide an overview of the market in the foodstuffs concerned in each Member State.

The number of samples and the methods of analysis used should be mentioned or described briefly on the answer sheets annexed hereto.

I. Adulteration of soluble coffee

Soluble coffee may sometimes be adulterated with non-bean matter from the coffee plant such as husks, skins, stems and stacks or maltodextrins. This is not in conformity with Council Directive 77/436/EEC (2).

II. Listeria monocytogenes, escherichia coli and aeromonas in refrigerated salads and seasoned crudités

Epidemiological studies show cases of listerosis associated with consumption of raw vegetables and various scientific publications refer to a possible contamination of these products with escherichia coli, listeria monocytogenes and aeromonas spp.

III. Botanic and geographical claims on honey, both Community produced and imported from third countries

Lately, the market for honey in the Community has become subject to severe competition and surveys suggest that false claims are made both to the botanical origin of the product as well as to the area it stems from.

IV. Temperature of quick frozen foodstuffs, sold in the retail sector (application of Council Directive 89/108/EEC (3) and Commission Directive 92/2/EEC (4))

In view of the relationship between the shelf life and storage temperature of perishable foodstuffs, it seems appropriate to monitor the temperature of quick frozen foodstuffs, especially where handling operations are critical.

Done at Brussels, 11 January 1995.

For the Commission

Martin BANGEMANN

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ No L 186, 30. 6. 1989, p. 23.

(2) OJ No L 172, 12. 7. 1977, p. 20.

(3) OJ No L 40, 11. 2. 1989, p. 34.

(4) OJ No L 34, 11. 2. 1992, p. 30.

ANNEX

>START OF GRAPHIC>

>END OF GRAPHIC>