Council Directive 76/621/EEC of 20 July 1976 relating to the fixing of the maximum level of erucic acid in oils and fats intended as such for human consumption and in foodstuffs containing added oils or fats

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE  of 20 July 1976  relating to the fixing of the maximum level of erucic acid in oils and fats intended as such for human consumption and in foodstuffs containing added oils or fats  (76/621/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 and 100 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2),
Whereas the administration of large doses of colza oil to experimental animals has been shown to produce undesirable effects, but whereas it has not been demonstrated that such effects can occur in man;
Whereas such effects appear to be principally due to erucic acid, one of the components of this oil;
Whereas other edible oils and fats contain erucic acid;
Whereas further research is at present in progress on rape seed oil and other oils and fats, but as a precaution the ingestion of erucic acid should be restricted until these results are known;
Whereas to attain this objective a maximum level should be set for the erucic content of oils and fats, and foodstuffs to which they have been added;
Whereas, however, it is possible, at no risk to human health, to exclude foodstuffs with low total fat content from the scope of this Directive;
Whereas for this purpose a maximum level should be adopted, to be applicable not later than 1 July 1979, which in the absence of precise and definitive scientific information on the matter and taking account of the qualitative development of colza seed production in the Community, will ensure the protection of human health;
Whereas, in any event, the level of erucic acid must not be greater than 10 % as from 1 July 1977;
Whereas certain Member States have already fixed maximum levels for erucic acid in relation to the types of products involved and dietary patterns according to requirements warranted by public health protection;
Whereas the methods of sampling and analysis necessary for determining the level of erucic acid in the products considered are implementing measures of a technical nature ; whereas their adoption should be entrusted to the Commission in order to simplify and expedite the procedure;
Whereas in all cases in which the Council confers on the Commission authority to implement rules relating to foodstuffs, a procedure should be laid down establishing close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within the Standing Committee  (1)OJ No C 280, 8.12.1975, p. 13. (2)OJ No C 286, 15.12.1975, p. 39.
on Foodstuffs set up by the Council Decision of 13 November 1969 (1),