The European Commission has updated control measures to the
protect consumers from products containing
contaminants including aflatoxins. These measures are
contained in
EC Decision 2007/459/EC.
Aflatoxins can cause cancer in humans and animals.
They are produced by certain moulds in foodstuffs, particularly
peanuts, pistachio nuts, dried figs, hazelnuts and brazil nuts
(including their products) from certain countries.
Conditions now include:
- restricting ports of entry (these include Tilbury,
Thamesport and Sheerness)
- controls apply to foodstuffs including processed and compound
foodstuffs
- the requirement for health certificates which must be endorsed
by the port health authority
- re-dispatch or destruction if there is no certificate
- certificates are only valid for four months from the date
of issue
- the sampling of consignments at a specified frequency
- the costs of control measures to be borne by the
importer
Further information can be found on the
FSA Website.
A copy of a fact sheet about food contaminants produced by the
European Commission can be downloaded from
the EC website.