Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part I of III

Abstract

Shipping of edible fats and oils into Europe is permitted in bulk tanks, in which substances, included in a positive list, had been previously transported. The European Commission requested EFSA to evaluate the list of substances in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils, taking into account its review of the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) criteria for acceptable previous cargoes and criteria proposed by the Codex Committee for Fats and Oils. This is the first of three scientific opinions by the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel), in which thirteen of these substances have been evaluated. The CONTAM Panel concluded that phosphoric acid, ammonium polyphosphate, benzyl alcohol (pharmaceutical and reagent grades only), epoxidised soyabean oil (with a minimum 7 % -maximum 8 % oxirane oxygen content), ethyl acetate, 2-ethylhexanol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol (molecular weight greater than 400), methanol and ethanol, would not be of health concern as previous cargoes. In the case of calcium lignosulphonate, there was sufficient information available for the CONTAM Panel to conclude that the risk from short-term exposure to this substance itself, when used as a previous cargo, would not give rise to any toxicological concern. However, the product varies markedly in composition, there is no information on potential impurities, nor is there information on its potential reactivity with fats and oils. The CONTAM Panel therefore concluded that calcium lignosulphonate does not meet the criteria for acceptability as a previous cargo.

Scientific opinion on the evaluation of substances as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils

“…In reaction to the previous evaluation of calcium lignosulphonate as a previous cargo (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2011), Borregaard (Østfold, Norway), one of the main producers of lignosulphonate, provided additional information on the composition of the substance but the CONTAM Panel stated that this information was insufficient to re-evaluate the substance.…”

“…In 2011, the CONTAM Panel concluded that methanol meets the criteria for acceptability as a previous cargo (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2011). The CONTAM Panel considered that methanol does not pose toxicological concerns when used as a previous cargo.…”

“…In 2011, the CONTAM Panel concluded that ammonium polyphosphate meets the criteria for acceptability as a previous cargo (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2011). JECFA had established a group maximum TDI (MTDI) for phosphates, including ammonium polyphosphate, of 70 mg/kg bw expressed as phosphorus, which the CONTAM Panel considered appropriate.…”

“…The CONTAM Panel considered the previous assessment on calcium lignosulphonate as a previous cargo (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2011) as comprehensive, covering all relevant publications up to that date.…”

“…The CONTAM Panel evaluated all the substances in the list and published three opinions (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2011.…”