Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/20012 sets maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs, including foods intended for infants and young children, as described by Commission Directive 91/321/EEC of 14 May 1991 on infant formula and follow-on formula3 and Commission Directive 96/5/EC of 16 February 1996 on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children4.

Some Member States have adopted maximum levels for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in certain foods. In view of the disparities between Member States and the consequent risk of distortion of competition, Community measures are necessary in order to ensure market unity whilst abiding by the principle of proportionality.

The Scientific Committee on Food concluded in its opinion of 4 December 2002 that a number of PAH are genotoxic carcinogens. In laboratory studies the levels found to induce experimental tumours were several fold higher than those expected to be found in food and consumed. However, in view of the non-threshold effects of genotoxic substances the levels of PAH in foods should be reduced to as low as reasonably achievable.

According to the Scientific Committee on Food, benzo(a)pyrene can be used as a marker for the occurrence and effect of carcinogenic PAH in food, including also benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, chrysene, cyclopenta(c,d)pyrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, dibenzo(a,e)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)pyrene, dibenzo(a,i)pyrene, dibenzo(a,l)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and 5-methylchrysene. Further analyses of the relative proportions of these PAH in foods would be necessary to inform a future review of the suitability of maintaining benzo(a)pyrene as a marker.

PAH can contaminate foods during heating and drying processes that allow combustion products to come into direct contact. Direct fire-drying and heating processes used during the production of food oils, for example olive pomace oil, can result in high levels of PAH. Active carbon can be used to remove benzo(a)pyrene during the refining of oils. Whether refining processes effectively remove all PAH of concern is unclear. Production and processing methods should be used which prevent the initial contamination of oils with PAH.

In order to protect public health, maximum levels are necessary for benzo(a)pyrene in certain foods containing fats and oils and in foods where smoking or drying processes might cause high levels of contamination. Separate lower maximum levels are necessary in foods for infants, which are achievable through the strictly controlled manufacturing and packaging of infant formulae, follow-on formulae, baby foods and processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children. Maximum levels are also necessary in foods where environmental pollution may cause high levels of contamination, in particular in fish and fishery products, for example resulting from oil spills caused by shipping.

In some foods, such as dried fruits and food supplements, benzo(a)pyrene has been found, but available data are inconclusive on what levels are reasonably achievable. Further investigation is needed to clarify the levels that are reasonably achievable in these foods. In the meantime, maximum levels for benzo(a)pyrene in relevant ingredients should apply, such as in oils and fats used in food supplements.

Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 should be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,