COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION of 11 March 1994 concerning a coordinated programme for the official control of foodstuffs for 1994 (94/175/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 1994:

1. Aflatoxine B 1 in products liable to contain aflatoxin B 1, especially those intended for children.

2. Lysteria monocytogenes in meat-based patés, sold in the retail sector.

3. Adulteration of frozen, fish-based products.

4. Adulteration of goat's and sheep's cheese.

Explanatory memorandum of the coordinated programme of inspections for 1994 In 1994 the coordinated programme of inspections provided for by Article 14 (3) of Directive 89/397/EEC will be carried out for the second time. At the request of the Member States, the Commission has spent ample time discussing the 1994 programme with the technical experts of the Member States.

Like last year, the subjects chosen cover existing Community problems relating to the protection of public health and consumer interests, as well as fair trade.

In order not to overburden the budget for laboratory costs in certain Member States, the Commission decided to limit the number of subjects this year to four.

Each subject is accompanied by a suggested method of anlaysis. 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. Aflatoxine B 1 in products liable to contain aflatoxin B 1, especially those intended for children

Aflatoxine B 1 is a carcinogenic toxin, formed by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. The objective of this analysis is to determine the content of this toxin in products liable to contain aflatoxin B 1, especially those intended for children.

II. Lysteria monocytogenes in meat-based patés, sold in the retail sector

Lysteria monocytogenes has become established as a foodborne pathogen and may be transmitted to human beings through a variety of foodstuffs. Surveys suggest that the incidence of listeriosi is increasing. This involves a risk of infection, particularly with infants, elderly people, pregnant women and immuno-compromised individuals.

III. Adulteration of frozen, fish-based products

Most frozen fish-based products such as fish fingers, nuggets, bites, fish fillets and seafood specialities such as prawns, scampis and crab are made from frozen fishblocks. Now that popular types of fish such as cod and haddock have become expensive, there are indications that block producers are replacing more expensive fish with cheaper varieties. The survey should examine specification in a wide range of frozen fish products for which label declarations of named fish species are made. In order to limit this survey, it should specifically target cod, haddock and scampi products.

IV. Adulteration of goat's and sheep's cheese

This analysis is specifically aimed at detecting the illicit use of cow's milk in the production of sheep's and goat's cheese. Those products should be examined for which label declarations are made. In addition to sampling and analysis, inspections of food businesses may be useful.

Done at Brussels, 11 March 1994.

For the Commission

Martin BANGEMANN

Member of the Commission

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

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