April 2011
Irish legislation
EU Legislation
EFSA publications
European Communities (Foot and Mouth Disease) (Restrictions on Imports from Bulgaria) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No 133 of 2011)
Summary: These regulations give further effect to Commission Decision No. 2011/44/EU of 19 January 2011 and concern restrictions on imports from Bulgaria due to the presence of Foot and Mouth Disease in that country
Commission Decision 2011/242/EU (OJ L101, p126, 15/04/2011) of 14 April 2011 on the members of the advisory group on the food chain and animal and plant health established by Decision 2004/613/EC
Summary: An advisory group on the food chain and animal and plant health was established by Decision 2004/613/EC with effect from 25 August 2004. This group is consulted by the Commission on its programme of work on food and feed safety, food and feed labelling and presentation, human nutrition in relation to food legislation, animal health and welfare, and plant health and also on any measures which the European Commission has to take or propose in these fields. The Commission decided to extend the membership of the advisory group, in particular in order to include certain unrepresented sectors. Following a call for expressions of interest, nine additional bodies have been selected. This Decision confirms as members of the advisory group on the food chain and animal and plant health the European bodies listed in Part A of the Annex, and, in addition, appoints as members of this advisory group the European bodies listed in Part B of the Annex.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 321/2011 (OJ L87, p1, 02/04/2011) of 1 April 2011 amending Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as regards the restriction of use of Bisphenol A in plastic infant feeding bottles
Summary: This Regulation amends Table 1 of Annex 1 to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 by prohibiting the use of Bisphenol A ( 2.2-bis(4- hydroxyphenyl)propane) for the manufacture of polycarbonate infant feeding bottles. This restriction is applicable from 1 May 2011 as regards the manufacture and from 1 June 2011 as regards the placing on the market and importation into the European Union.’.
Commission Regulation (EU) No 420/2011 (OJ L 111, p3, 30/04/2011) of 29 April 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs
Summary: This Regulation clarifies the portion of crabs to be analysed for comparison with the maximum level for cadmium stating that the maximum level set for cadmium in crustaceans in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 applies to muscle meat from appendages (legs and claws) and abdomen. For crabs and crab-like crustaceans, the maximum level applies to the appendages only. This definition excludes other parts of crustaceans, such as the cephalothorax of crabs and inedible parts (shell, tail). The portion of crustaceans to which the maximum levels apply is modified for other contaminants (lead, mercury, dioxins and PCBs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) accordingly. Levels of cadmium are also amended for bivalve molluscs, leafy brassica and seaweed. The provisions on monitoring and reporting have also been updated to take account of recent monitoring recommendations on ethylcarbamate, perfluoroalkylated substances, and acrylamide. The Regulation also clarifies which data is reported to the European Commission and which to EFSA.
Commission Decision 2011/214/EU (OJ L90, p27, 06/04/2011) of 1 April 2011 amending Annexes II to IV to Council Directive 2009/158/EC on animal health conditions governing intra-Community trade in, and imports from third countries of, poultry and hatching eggs
Summary: This Decision amends Annexes II, III and IV to Directive 2009/158/EC to take account of scientific progress made in diagnostic techniques for Mycoplasma i and changes to the nomenclature of Salmonella as well as including specific conditions for vaccination against Salmonella
Commission Implementing Decision 2011/215/EU (OJ L24, p9, 30/01/1998) of 4 April 2011 implementing Council Directive 97/78/EC as regards transhipment at the border inspection post of introduction of consignments of products intended for import into the Union or for third countries
Summary: This Decision repeals Commission Decision 2000/25/EC which established detailed rules for the application of Article 9 of Council Directive 97/78/EC. It sets out the periods applicable in cases where consignments are intended for import into the EU via another border inspection post situated in the same territory or situated in the territory of another Member State. It also includes rules on relevant minimum periods.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 342/2011 (OJ L96, p10, 09/04/2011) of 8 April 2011 amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 laying down lists of third countries, territories or parts thereof authorised for the introduction into the European Union of certain animals and fresh meat and the veterinary certification requirements
Summary: The entry for South Africa in Part 1 of Annex II to Regulation (EU) No 206/2010 is amended so that the export of fresh meat is ais not permitted from the veterinary regions of Mpumalanga and Northern provinces, in the district of Ingwavuma of the veterinary region of Natal and in the border area with Botswana east of longitude 28°, and from the district of Camperdown, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 344/2011 (OJ L 96, p15, 09/04/2011) of 8 April 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control
Summary: The transitional period set out in Article 95(8) and (9) of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 regarding certain labelling provisions for wines is extended until 31 July 2012. Therefore stocks of wines produced, packaged and labelled before 31 July 2012 in accordance with either Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 or Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 may continue to be brought on the market until stocks are exhausted. The Regulation also allows the use of rosemary extract in organic food processing as food additive, if it is used as such, by now including that product in Annex VIII to Regulation (EC) No 889/2008.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 351/2011 (OJ L97, p20, 12/04/2011) of 11 April 2011 amending Regulation (EU) No 297/2011 imposing special conditions governing the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station
Summary: This Regulation replaces the text in Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 297/2011 Regulation (EU) No 297/2011 and also inserts a new Annex II.
Corrigendum to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 351/2011 of 11 April 2011 amending Regulation (EU) No 297/2011 imposing special conditions governing the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power station ( OJ L 97, 12.4.2011)
Summary: This correction replaces the text on page 23, Annex II to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 351/2011
Commission Regulation (EU) No 362/2011 (OJ L 100, p26, 14/04/2011) of 13 April 2011 amending the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits in foodstuffs of animal origin, as regards the substance monepantel
Summary: The entry for monepantel in Table 1 of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 is amended to extend the provisional MRLs for caprine species. The provisional MRLs set out in that Table for monepantel for caprine species will now expire on 1 January 2012
Commission Regulation (EU) No 363/2011 (OJ L 100, p28, 14/04/2011) of 13 April 2011 amending the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits in foodstuffs of animal origin, as regards the substance isoeugenol
Summary: This Regulation amends Table 1 of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 to include a MRL for the substance isoeugenol for fin fish species
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 338/2011 (OJ L94, p21, 08/04/2011 of 7 April 2011 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Magiun de prune Topoloveni (PGI))
Summary: This Regulation approves Romania’s application to register the name ‘Magiun de prune Topoloveni ‘ in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 355/2011 (OJ L 98, p6, 13/04/2011) of 8 April 2011 approving non-minor amendments to the specification for a name entered in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Montasio (PDO))
Summary: This Regulation approves Italy’s application to make amendments to the specification for the protected designation of origin ‘Montasio’ registered under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96, as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1263/96
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 374/2011 (OJ L 102, p13, 16/04/2011) 16 of 11 April 2011 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Farina di castagne della Lunigiana (PDO))
Summary: This Regulation approves Italy’s application to register the name ‘Farina di castagne della Lunigiana’ in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 375/2011 (OJ L102, p15, 16/04/2011) of 11 April 2011 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Formaggella del Luinese (PDO))
Summary: This Regulation approves Italy’s application to register the name ‘Formaggella del Luinese’ in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 379/2011 (OJ L 103, p2, 19/04/2011) of 18 April 2011 entering a name in the register of traditional specialities guaranteed (‘Kiełbasa jałowcowa’ (TSG))
Summary: This Regulation approves Poland’s application to register the name ‘Kiełbasa jałowcowa’ in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 382/2011 (OJ L 103, p6, 19/04/2011) of 18 April 2011 entering a name in the register of traditional specialities guaranteed (‘Kiełbasa myśliwska’ (TSG))
Summary: This Regulation approves Poland’s application to register the name ‘Kiełbasa myśliwska’ in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 414/2011 (OJ L110, p16, 29/04/2011) of 26 April 2011 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Φιρίκι Πηλίου (Firiki Piliou) (PDO))
Summary: This Regulation approves Greece’s application to register the name ‘Φιρίκι Πηλίου (Firiki Piliou)’ in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 415/2011 (OJ L110, p18, 29/04/2011) of 26 April 2011 entering a name in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Lapin Poron kylmäsavuliha (PDO))
Summary: This Regulation approves Finland’s application to register the name ‘Lapin Poron kylmäsavuliha’in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 416/2011 (OJ L110, p20, 29/04/2011) of 26 April 2011 approving a non-minor amendment to the specification for a name entered in the register of protected designations of origin and protected geographical indications (Valle d’Aosta Lard d’Arnad/Vallée d’Aoste Lard d’Arnad (PDO))
Summary: This Regulation approves Italy’s application to make amendments to the specification for the protected designation of origin ‘Valle d’Aosta Lard d’Arnad/Vallée d’Aoste Lard d’Arnad’, registered under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1107/96 ( 2 ), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1263/96.
EFSA has published a report on acrylamide levels in food including an exposure assessment to estimate the intake of acrylamide for different age groups as well as the major contributors to acrylamide exposure in the diets of consumers in Europe. The report will be used by the European Commission and EU Member States to help them assess the effectiveness of voluntary measures taken by the food industry to reduce acrylamide levels
EFSA: General guidance for stakeholders on the evaluation of Article 13.1, 13.5 and 14 health claims
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a Technical Report regarding the outcome of a public consultation on a draft Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (NDA) on general guidance for stakeholders on the evaluation of Article 13.1, 13.5 and 14 health claims.
This general guidance is a combined and updated version of two previous briefing documents (frequently asked question document related to the assessment of Article 14 and 13.5 health claim applications, and a briefing document for Member States and the European Commission on the evaluation of Article 13.1 health claims). This guidance document summarises the general principles applied by the NDA Panel in the evaluation of health claims, and covers issues such as the totality of available scientific evidence, pertinent studies for substantiation of health claims, wording of claims, the extent to which a food needs to be characterised for the claimed effect, claimed effects which are beneficial physiological effects, definition of a risk factor for the development of a human disease, compliance/eligibility issues for health claims, and procedural aspects.
Last reviewed: 1/6/2011