RECOMMENDATION OF THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY of 17 March 1995 concerning a coordinated programme for the official control of foodstuffs for 1995

THE EFTA SURVEILLANCE AUTHORITY,

Having regard to the European Economic Area Agreement, and in particular Article 109 and Protocol 1 thereof,

Having regard to the Surveillance and Court Agreement, and in particular Article 5 (2) (b) and Protocol 1 thereof,

Having regard to the Act referred to in Point 50 of Chapter XII of Annex II to the EEA Agreement (Council Directive 89/397/EEC of 14 June 1989 on the official control of foodstuffs (1)), and in particular Article 14 (3) thereof,

Whereas it is necessary, with a view to the sound operation of the European Economic Area, to arrange for coordinated food inspection programmes within the EEA;

Whereas the EFTA States have been consulted within the EFTA Foodstuffs Committee assisting the EFTA Surveillance Authority on 17 November 1994;

Whereas such programmes should not only establish compliance with the legislation in force under the EEA Agreement 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,

HAS ADOPTED THIS RECOMMENDATION:

1. It is recommended that the EFTA States take samples of the following products and analyse the specified parameters in 1995:

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

2. Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas in refrigerated salads and seasoned crudités;

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

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

2. A coordinated programme of inspections is recommended to the EFTA States as a consequence of Article 14 (3) of Council Directive 89/397/EEC. The subjects have been discussed with the EFTA States, and the subjects chosen cover the protection of public health and consumer interests, as well as fair trade.

3. 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 EFTA State.

4. The number of samples and the methods of analysis used should be mentioned or described briefly on the model report forms.

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 the Act referred to in point 14 of Chapter XII of Annex II to the EEA Agreement (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 crude vegetables and various scientific publications refer to a possible contamination of these products with Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Acromonas spp.

III. Botanic and geographical claims on honey, both produced within the EEA and imported from third countries

Lately, the market for honey in the EEA 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

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, 17 March 1995.

For the EFTA Surveillance Authority

The President

Knut ALMESTAD

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

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