Search

The European Commission requested EFSA to provide an assessment of the processing conditions which make Ambrosia seeds non-viable in feed materials and compound feed. This assessment also includes information on a reliable procedure to verify the non-viability of the seeds. Ambrosia seeds are known contaminants in feed with maximum levels set in the Directive 2002/32/EC. The manufacturing processes and processing conditions applied to the feed may affect the viability of the Ambrosia seeds. Therefore, the CONTAM Panel compared these conditions with conditions that have been shown to be sufficient to render Ambrosia seeds non-viable. The Panel concluded with a certainty of 99–100% that solvent extraction and toasting of oilseed meals at temperatures of 120°C with steam injection for 10 min or more will make Ambrosia seeds non-viable. Since milling/grinding feed materials for compound feed of piglets, aquatic species and non-food producing animals would not allow particles of sizes ≥1 mm (the minimum size of viable Ambrosia seeds) passing the grinding process it was considered very likely (with ≥ 90% certainty) that these feeds will not contain viable Ambrosia seeds. In poultry, pig, and possibly cattle feed, particle sizes are ≥ 1 mm and therefore Ambrosia seeds could likely (66–90% certainty) survive the grinding process. Starch and gluten either from corn or wheat wet milling would not contain Ambrosia seeds with 99–100% certainty. Finally, ensiling fresh forages contaminated with A. artemisiifolia seeds for more than 3 months is very likely to render all seeds non-viable. The Panel concluded that a combination of the germination test and a subsequent triphenyl-tetrazolium-chloride (TTC) test will very likely (with ≥ 90% certainty) verify the non-viability of Ambrosia seeds. The Panel recommends that data on the presence of viable Ambrosia seeds before and after the different feed production processes should be generated.

In 2017, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) adopted a Scientific Opinion on the risks for animal health related to the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated and modified forms in food and feed. No observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) and lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) were derived for different animal species. For horses, an NOAEL of 36 mg DON/kg feed was established, the highest concentration tested and not showing adverse effects. For poultry, an NOAEL of 5 mg DON/kg feed for broiler chickens and laying hens, and an NOAEL of 7 mg DON/kg feed for ducks and turkeys was derived. The European Commission requested EFSA to review the information regarding the toxicity of DON for horses and poultry and to revise, if necessary, the established reference points (RPs). Adverse effect levels of 1.9 and 1.7 mg DON/kg feed for, respectively, broiler chickens and turkeys were derived from reassessment of existing studies and newly available literature, showing that DON causes effects on the intestines, in particular the jejunum, with a decreased villus height but also histological damage. An RP for adverse animal health effects of 0.6 mg/kg feed for broiler chickens and turkeys, respectively, was established. For horses, an adverse effect level of 5.6 mg DON/kg feed was established from studies showing reduced feed intake, with an RP for adverse animal health effects of 3.5 mg/kg feed. For ducks and laying hens, RPs remain unchanged. Based on mean and P95 (UB) exposure estimates performed in the previous Opinion, the risk of adverse health effects of feeds containing DON was considered a potential concern for broiler chickens and turkeys. For horses, the risk for adverse health effects from feed containing DON is low.

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are composed of saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). Due to the complexity of the MOH composition, their complete chemical characterisation is not possible. MOSH accumulation is observed in various tissues, with species-specific differences. Formation of liver epithelioid lipogranulomas and inflammation, as well as increased liver and spleen weights, are observed in Fischer 344 (F344) rats, but not in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. These effects are related to specific accumulation of wax components in the liver of F344 rats, which is not observed in SD rats or humans. The CONTAM Panel concluded that F344 rats are not an appropriate model for effects of MOSH with wax components. A NOAEL of 236 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, corresponding to the highest tested dose in F344 rats of a white mineral oil product virtually free of wax components, was selected as relevant reference point (RP). The highest dietary exposure to MOSH was estimated for the young population, with lower bound–upper bound (LB–UB) means and 95th percentiles of 0.085–0.126 and 0.157–0.212 mg/kg bw per day, respectively. Considering a margin of exposure approach, the Panel concluded that the present dietary exposure to MOSH does not raise concern for human health for all age classes. Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity are associated with MOAH with three or more aromatic rings. For this subfraction, a surrogate RP of 0.49 mg/kg bw per day, calculated from data on eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was considered. The highest dietary exposure to MOAH was also in the young population, with LB–UB mean and 95th percentile estimations of 0.003–0.031 and 0.011–0.059 mg/kg bw per day, respectively. Based on two scenarios on three or more ring MOAH contents in the diet and lacking toxicological information on effects of 1 and 2 ring MOAH, a possible concern for human health was raised.

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are composed of saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). Due to the complexity of the MOH composition, their complete chemical characterisation is not possible. MOSH accumulation is observed in various tissues, with species-specific differences. Formation of liver epithelioid lipogranulomas and inflammation, as well as increased liver and spleen weights, are observed in Fischer 344 (F344) rats, but not in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. These effects are related to specific accumulation of wax components in the liver of F344 rats, which is not observed in SD rats or humans. The CONTAM Panel concluded that F344 rats are not an appropriate model for effects of MOSH with wax components. A NOAEL of 236 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, corresponding to the highest tested dose in F344 rats of a white mineral oil product virtually free of wax components, was selected as relevant reference point (RP). The highest dietary exposure to MOSH was estimated for the young population, with lower bound–upper bound (LB–UB) means and 95th percentiles of 0.085–0.126 and 0.157–0.212 mg/kg bw per day, respectively.Considering a margin of exposure approach, the Panel concluded that the present dietary exposure to MOSH does not raise concern for human health for all age classes. Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity are associated with MOAH with three or more aromatic rings. For this subfraction, a surrogate RP of 0.49 mg/kg bw per day, calculated from data on eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was considered. The highest dietary exposure to MOAH was also in the young population, with LB–UB mean and 95th percentile estimations of 0.003–0.031 and 0.011–0.059 mg/kg bw per day,respectively. Based on two scenarios on three or more ring MOAH contents in the diet and lacking toxicological information on effects of 1 and 2 ring MOAH, a possible concern for human health was raised.

The file contains the raw occurrence dataset on nitrosamines in food as extracted from EFSA DWH on 3 July 2021 and presented in the EFSA opinion on Risk assessment of N-nitrosamines in food available at https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7884. The data is provided in csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD2 data model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: action) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields). The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies for the updated textual description of fields values can be found under "Related identifiers”., The file contains the raw occurrence dataset on nitrosamines in food as extracted from EFSA DWH on 3 July 2021 and presented in the EFSA opinion on Risk assessment of N-nitrosamines in food available at https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7884. The data is provided in csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD2 data model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: action) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields). The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies for the updated textual description of fields values can be found under "Related identifiers”.

In 2018, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) adopted a Scientific Opinion on the risks for animal health related to the presence of fumonisins, their modified forms and hidden forms in feed. A no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 1 mg/kg feed was established for pigs. In poultry a NOAEL of 20 mg/kg feed and in horses a reference point for adverse animal health effect of 8.8 mg/kg feed was established, referred to as NOAEL. The European Commission (EC) requested EFSA to review the information regarding the toxicity of fumonisins for pigs, poultry and horses and to revise, if necessary, the established NOAELs. The EFSA CONTAM Panel considered that the term reference point (RP) for adverse animal health effects better reflects the uncertainties in the available studies. New evidence which had become available since the previous opinion allowed to revise an RP for adverse animal health effects for poultry from 20 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg feed (based on a LOAEL of 2.5 mg/kg feed for reduced intestinal crypt depth) and for horses from 8.8 to 1.0 mg/kg feed (based on case studies on equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM)). For pigs, the previously established NOAEL was confirmed as no further studies suitable for deriving an RP for adverse animal health effects could be identified. Based on exposure estimates performed in the previous opinion, the risk of adverse health effects of feeds containing FB1–3 was considered a concern for poultry, when taking into account the RP of 1 mg/kg feed for intestinal effects. For horses and other solipeds, the risk is considered low, although a large uncertainty associated with exposure was identified. The same conclusions apply to the sum of FB1–3 and their hidden forms.

In 2011, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) adopted a Scientific Opinion on the risks for animal health related to the presence of T-2 (T2) and HT-2 (HT2) toxin in food and feed. No observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) and lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) were derived for different animal species. In ruminants a LOAEL was established for the sum of T2 and HT2 of 0.3 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, based on studies with calves and lambs. The CONTAM Panel noted that the effects observed in nutritionally challenged heifers and ewes give rise to the assumption that rumen detoxification of T2 may not always be complete and therefore effective to prevent adverse effects in ruminants. However, the limited data on the effects of T2 on adult ruminants did not allow a conclusion. The European Commission requested EFSA to review the information regarding the toxicity of T2 and HT2 for ruminants and to revise, if necessary, the established Reference Point (RP). Adverse effect levels of 0.001 and 0.01 mg T2/kg bw per day for, respectively, sheep and cows, were derived from case studies, estimated to correspond to feed concentrations of 0.035 mg T2/kg for sheep and 0.6 mg T2/kg for cows. RPs for adverse animal health effects of 0.01 mg/kg feed for sheep and 0.2 mg/kg feed for cows were established. For goats, the RP for cows was selected, in the absence of data that they are more sensitive. Based on mean exposure estimates performed in the previous Opinion, the risk of adverse health effects of feeds containing T2 and HT2 was considered a concern for lactating sheep. For milking goats, a comparison performed between dietary exposure and the RP derived for cows, indicates a potential risk for adverse health effects. For dairy cows and fattening beef, the risk is considered low.

HMF_raw_occurrence_zenodo.CSV contains the raw occurrence dataset on hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) contaminant as extracted from EFSA DWH in August 2021 on 219 samples of bee feed presented in the opinion as described in its section 3.2.1. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in .csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: outcome) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields)., HMF_raw_occurrence_zenodo.CSV contains the raw occurrence dataset on hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) contaminant as extracted from EFSA DWH in August 2021 on 219 samples of bee feed presented in the opinion as described in its section 3.2.1. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in .csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: outcome) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields).

The file contains the raw occurrence dataset on lipophilic toxins as extracted from EFSA DWH on 9 June 2020 on 16,845 analytical results presented in the opinion as described in its section 1.3.2. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: action) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields). The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies can be found under "Related identifiers”., The file contains the raw occurrence dataset on lipophilic toxins as extracted from EFSA DWH on 9 June 2020 on 16,845 analytical results presented in the opinion as described in its section 1.3.2. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: action) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields). The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies can be found under "Related identifiers”.

DomoicAcid_Raw_Occurrence_Data.CSV contains the raw occurrence dataset on Domoic Acid contaminant in scallops as extracted from EFSA DWH on the 9 June 2020, 16,369 samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 1.3.2. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in .csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: outcome) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields). The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies can be found under "Related identifiers”. Annex_ DomoicAcid: Table of contents Table A1: Description of FoodEx2 codes used to describe scallop species and their anatomical parts Table A2: Data cleaning steps applied to occurrence data on domoic acid in scallops Table A3: Percentage of Left-Censored data and descriptive statistics for Limits of detection (LODs) and Limits of quantification (LOQs) for domoic acid in scallops (mg/kg) Table A4: Descriptive statistics for domoic acid in scallops (mg/kg) as reported in the cleaned database (statistics weighted by number of units per sample) Table A5: Descriptive statistics of body tissue weights (g) of scallops as submitted by data providers, DomoicAcid_Raw_Occurrence_Data.CSV contains the raw occurrence dataset on Domoic Acid contaminant in scallops as extracted from EFSA DWH on the 9 June 2020, 16,369 samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 1.3.2. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in .csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: outcome) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields). The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies can be found under "Related identifiers”. Annex_ DomoicAcid Table of contents Table A1 Description of FoodEx2 codes used to describe scallop species and their anatomical parts Table A2 Data cleaning steps applied to occurrence data on domoic acid in scallops Table A3 Percentage of Left-Censored data and descriptive statistics for Limits of detection (LODs) and Limits of quantification (LOQs) for domoic acid in scallops (mg/kg) Table A4 Descriptive statistics for domoic acid in scallops (mg/kg) as reported in the cleaned database (statistics weighted by number of units per sample) Table A5 Descriptive statistics of body tissue weights (g) of scallops as submitted by data providers

Annex A – Protocol for the risk assessments for human health related to the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in food The Annex is provided as a separate pdf file containing the risk assessment protocol selected by the CONTAM Panel to update the previous risk assessments of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in food. Annex B: Occurrence data on HBCDDs in food submitted to EFSA and dietary surveys per country and age group available in the EFSA Comprehensive Database, considered in the exposure assessment Table B.1 Number of analytical results excluded from the initial dataset during data cleaning, and justification for exclusion Table B.2 Occurrence values of HBCDDs calculated total (µg/kg) by food category in the final dataset Table B.3 Food categories of FoodEx and mean LB and UB values as used for the exposure assessment Table B.4 Dietary surveys and the number of subjects by country and population class, available for the chronic exposure assessment, in the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database Table B.5 Summary statistics on data reported for HBCDDs total, analysed with GC-MS, not considered for the exposure Figure B.1 Frequency distribution of the occurrence values for the food categories of interest at the LB without zeros presented on a log 10 scale Figure B.2 Frequency distribution of the occurrence values for the food categories of interest at the UB presented on a log 10 scale HBCDDs_Raw_Occurrence_Data.CSV contains the raw occurrence dataset on Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) contaminant as extracted from EFSA DWH in December 2019 on 2530 food samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 3.2.1. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in .csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: outcome) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values, Annex A – Protocol for the risk assessments for human health related to the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in food The Annex is provided as a separate pdf file containing the risk assessment protocol selected by the CONTAM Panel to update the previous risk assessments of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in food. Annex B: Occurrence data on HBCDDs in food submitted to EFSA and dietary surveys per country and age group available in the EFSA Comprehensive Database, considered in the exposure assessment Table B.1 Number of analytical results excluded from the initial dataset during data cleaning, and justification for exclusion Table B.2 Occurrence values of HBCDDs calculated total (µg/kg) by food category in the final dataset Table B.3 Food categories of FoodEx and mean LB and UB values as used for the exposure assessment Table B.4 Dietary surveys and the number of subjects by country and population class, available for the chronic exposure assessment, in the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database Table B.5 Summary statistics on data reported for HBCDDs total, analysed with GC-MS, not considered for the exposure Figure B.1 Frequency distribution of the occurrence values for the food categories of interest at the LB without zeros presented on a log 10 scale Figure B.2 Frequency distribution of the occurrence values for the food categories of interest at the UB presented on a log 10 scale HBCDDs_Raw_Occurrence_Data.CSV contains the raw occurrence dataset on Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) contaminant as extracted from EFSA DWH in December 2019 on 2530 food samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 3.2.1. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in .csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: outcom

The file contains the raw occurrence dataset on lipophilic toxins as extracted from EFSA DWH on 9 June 2020 on 16,845 analytical results presented in the opinion as described in its section 1.3.2. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: action) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields).

DomoicAcid_Raw_Occurrence_Data.CSV contains the raw occurrence dataset on Domoic Acid contaminant in scallops as extracted from EFSA DWH on the 9 June 2020, 16,369 samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 1.3.2. Occurrence data submitted to EFSA. The data is provided in .csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: outcome) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields).

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) provided a scientific opinion on an application for a detoxification process of groundnut press cake for aflatoxins by ammoniation. Specifically, it is required that the feed decontamination process is compliant with the acceptability criteria specified in the Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/786 of 19 May 2015. The CONTAM Panel assessed the data provided by the feed business operator with respect to the efficacy of the process to remove the contaminant from groundnut press cake batches and on information demonstrating that the process does not adversely affect the characteristics and the nature of the product. Although according to the literature the process may be able to reduce aflatoxin levels below the legal limits, the Panel concluded that the proposed decontamination process, on the basis of the experimental data submitted by the feed business operator, cannot be confirmed for compliance with the acceptability criteria provided for in Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/786 of 19 May 2015. The Panel recommended sufficient sample testing before and after the process, under the selected conditions, to ensure that the process is reproducible and reliable and to demonstrate that the detoxification is not reversible. In addition, genotoxicity testing of extracts of the treated feedingstuff and of the identified degradation products would be necessary. Finally, information on the transfer rate of AFB1 to AFM1 excretion in milk for animals fed the ammoniated product, in comparison to the starting material and on the ammoniation process changes of the nutritional values of the feed material should be provided.

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in food. HBCDDs, predominantly mixtures of the stereoisomers a-, b- and c-HBCDD, were widely used additive flame retardants. Concern has been raised because of the occurrence of HBCDDs in the environment, food and in humans. Main targets for toxicity are neurodevelopment, the liver, thyroid hormone homeostasis and the reproductive and immune systems. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the neurodevelopmental effects on behaviour in mice can be considered the critical effects. Based on effects on spontaneous behaviour in mice, the Panel identified a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 0.9 mg/kg body weight (bw) as the Reference Point, corresponding to a body burden of 0.75 mg/kg bw. The chronic intake that would lead to the same body burden in humans was calculated to be 2.35 lg/kg bw per day. The derivation of a health-based guidance value (HBGV) was not considered appropriate. Instead, the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied to assess possible health concerns. Over 6,000 analytical results for HBCDDs in food were used to estimate the exposure across dietary surveys and age groups of the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary LB exposure to HBCDDs were fish meat, eggs, livestock meat and poultry. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the resulting MOE values support the conclusion that current dietary exposure to HBCDDs across European countries does not raise a health concern.An exception is breastfed infants with high milk consumption, for which the lowest MOE values may raise a health concern.

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) provided a scientific opinion on an application for a detoxification process of groundnut press cake for aflatoxins by ammoniation. Specifically, it is required that the feed decontamination process is compliant with the acceptability criteria specified in the Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/786 of 19 May 2015. The CONTAM Panel assessed the data provided by the feed business operator with respect to the efficacy of the process to remove the contaminant from groundnut press cake batches and on information demonstrating that the process does not adversely affect the characteristics and the nature of the product. Although according to the literature the process may be able to reduce aflatoxin levels below the legal limits, the Panel concluded that the proposed decontamination process, on the basis of the experimental data submitted by the feed business operator, cannot be confirmed for compliance with the acceptability criteria provided for in Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/786 of 19 May 2015. The Panel recommended sufficient sample testing before and after the process, under the selected conditions, to ensure that the process is reproducible and reliable and to demonstrate that the detoxification is not reversible. In addition, genotoxicity testing of extracts of the treated feedingstuff and of the identified degradation products would be necessary. Finally, information on the transfer rate of AFB1 to AFM1 excretion in milk for animals fed the ammoniated product, in comparison to the starting material and on the ammoniation process changes of the nutritional values of the feed material should be provided.

EFSA was asked by the European Commission to provide information on the levels of domoic acid (DA) in whole scallops that would ensure that levels in edible parts are below the regulatory limit after shucking. This should include five species of scallops. In addition, EFSA was asked to recommend the number of scallops to be used in an analytical sample. To address these questions, EFSA received suitable data on DA for only one scallop species, Pecten maximus, i.e. data on pooled samples of edible and non-edible parts. A large part of the concentration levels was above the limit of quantification (LOQ) and only these data were used for the assessment. Shucking in most cases resulted in a strong decrease in the toxin levels. Statistical analysis of the data showed that levels in whole scallops should not exceed 24 mg DA/kg, 59 mg DA/kg and 127 mg DA/kg to ensure that levels in, respectively, gonads, muscle and muscle plus gonads are below the regulatory limit of 20 mg DA/kg with 99% certainty. Such an analysis was not possible for the other scallop species. In the absence of data from member states, published data of variations between scallops were used to calculate the sample size to ensure a 95% correct prediction on whether the level in scallops in an area or lot is correctly predicted to be compliant/non-compliant. It was shown that 10 scallops per sample would be sufficient to predict with 95% certainty if DA levels in the area/lot were twofold below or above the regulatory limit for the highest reported coefficient of variance (CV) of 1.06. To predict with 95% certainty for levels between 15 and 27 mg DA/kg, a pooled sample of more than 30 scallops would have to be tested.

EFSA was asked by the European Commission to provide information on the levels of domoic acid (DA) in whole scallops that would ensure that levels in edible parts are below the regulatory limit after shucking. This should include five species of scallops. In addition, EFSA was asked to recommend the number of scallops to be used in an analytical sample. To address these questions, EFSA received suitable data on DA for only one scallop species, Pecten maximus, i.e. data on pooled samples of edible and non-edible parts. A large part of the concentration levels was above the limit of quantification (LOQ) and only these data were used for the assessment. Shucking in most cases resulted in a strong decrease in the toxin levels. Statistical analysis of the data showed that levels in whole scallops should not exceed 24 mg DA/kg, 59 mg DA/kg and 127 mg DA/kg to ensure that levels in, respectively, gonads, muscle and muscle plus gonads are below the regulatory limit of 20 mg DA/kg with 99% certainty. Such an analysis was not possible for the other scallop species. In the absence of data from member states, published data of variations between scallops were used to calculate the sample size to ensure a 95% correct prediction on whether the level in scallops in an area or lot is correctly predicted to be compliant/non-compliant. It was shown that 10 scallops per sample would be sufficient to predict with 95% certainty if DA levels in the area/lot were twofold below or above the regulatory limit for the highest reported coefficient of variance (CV) of 1.06. To predict with 95% certainty for levels between 15 and 27 mg DA/kg, a pooled sample of more than 30 scallops would have to be tested.

The European Commission asked EFSA to update their 2006 opinion on ochratoxin A (OTA) in food. OTA is produced by fungi of the genus Aspergillus and Penicillium and found as a contaminant in various foods. OTA causes kidney toxicity in different animal species and kidney tumours in rodents. OTA is genotoxic both in vitro and in vivo; however, the mechanisms of genotoxicity are unclear. Direct and indirect genotoxic and non-genotoxic modes of action might each contribute to tumour formation. Since recent studies have raised uncertainty regarding the mode of action for kidney carcinogenicity, it is inappropriate to establish a health-based guidance value (HBGV) and a margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied. For the characterisation of non-neoplastic effects, a BMDL10 of 4.73 μg/kg body weight (bw) per day was calculated from kidney lesions observed in pigs. For characterisation of neoplastic effects, a BMDL10 of 14.5 μg/kg bw per day was calculated from kidney tumours seen in rats. The estimation of chronic dietary exposure resulted in mean and 95th percentile levels ranging from 0.6 to 17.8 and from 2.4 to 51.7 ng/kg bw per day, respectively. Median OTA exposures in breastfed infants ranged from 1.7 to 2.6 ng/kg bw per day, 95th percentile exposures from 5.6 to 8.5 ng/kg bw per day in average/high breast milk consuming infants, respectively. Comparison of exposures with the BMDL10 based on the non-neoplastic endpoint resulted in MOEs of more than 200 in most consumer groups, indicating a low health concern with the exception of MOEs for high consumers in the younger age groups, indicating a possible health concern. When compared with the BMDL10 based on the neoplastic endpoint, MOEs were lower than 10,000 for almost all exposure scenarios, including breastfed infants. This would indicate a possible health concern if genotoxicity is direct. Uncertainty in this assessment is high and risk may be overestimated.

The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of glycoalkaloids (GAs) in feed and food. This risk assessment covers edible parts of potato plants and other food plants containing GAs, in particular, tomato and aubergine. In humans, acute toxic effects of potato GAs (α-solanine and α-chaconine) include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. For these effects, the CONTAM Panel identified a lowest-observed-adverse-effect level of 1 mg total potato GAs/kg body weight (bw) per day as a reference point for the risk characterisation following acute exposure. In humans, no evidence of health problems associated with repeated or long-term intake of GAs via potatoes has been identified. No reference point for chronic exposure could be identified from the experimental animal studies. Occurrence data were available only for α-solanine and α-chaconine, mostly for potatoes. The acute dietary exposure to potato GAs was estimated using a probabilistic approach and applying processing factors for food. Due to the limited data available, a margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied. The MOEs for the younger age groups indicate a health concern for the food consumption surveys with the highest mean exposure, as well as for the P95 exposure in all surveys. For adult age groups, the MOEs indicate a health concern only for the food consumption surveys with the highest P95 exposures. For tomato and aubergine GAs, the risk to human health could not be characterised due to the lack of occurrence data and the limited toxicity data. For horses, farm and companion animals, no risk characterisation for potato GAs could be performed due to insufficient data on occurrence in feed and on potential adverse effects of GAs in these species.

EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the risks to public health related to the presence of aflatoxins in food. The risk assessment was confined to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), AFB2, AFG1, AFG2 and AFM1. More than 200,000 analytical results on the occurrence of aflatoxins were used in the evaluation. Grains and grain-based products made the largest contribution to the mean chronic dietary exposure to AFB1 in all age classes, while ‘liquid milk’ and ‘fermented milk products’ were the main contributors to the AFM1 mean exposure. Aflatoxins are genotoxic and AFB1 can cause hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in humans. The CONTAM Panel selected a benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL) for a benchmark response of 10% of 0.4 μg/kg body weight (bw) per day for the incidence of HCC in male rats following AFB1 exposure to be used in a margin of exposure (MOE) approach. The calculation of a BMDL from the human data was not appropriate; instead, the cancer potencies estimated by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives in 2016 were used. For AFM1, a potency factor of 0.1 relative to AFB1 was used. For AFG1, AFB2 and AFG2, the in vivo data are not sufficient to derive potency factors and equal potency to AFB1 was assumed as in previous assessments. MOE values for AFB1 exposure ranged from 5,000 to 29 and for AFM1 from 100,000 to 508. The calculated MOEs are below 10,000 for AFB1 and also for AFM1 where some surveys, particularly for the younger age groups, have an MOE below 10,000. This raises a health concern. The estimated cancer risks in humans following exposure to AFB1 and AFM1 are in-line with the conclusion drawn from the MOEs. The conclusions also apply to the combined exposure to all five aflatoxins.

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its previous Opinion on nickel in food and drinking water, taking into account new occurrence data, the updated benchmark dose (BMD) Guidance and newly available scientific information. More than 47,000 analytical results on the occurrence of nickel were used for calculating chronic and acute dietary exposure. An increased incidence of post-implantation loss in rats was identified as the critical effect for the risk characterisation of chronic oral exposure and a BMDL10 of 1.3 mg Ni/kg body weight (bw) per day was selected as the reference point for the establishment of a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 13 μg/kg bw. Eczematous flare-up reactions in the skin elicited in nickel-sensitised humans, a condition known as systemic contact dermatitis, was identified as the critical effect for the risk characterisation of acute oral exposure. A BMDL could not be derived, and therefore, the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level of 4.3 μg Ni/kg bw was selected as the reference point. The margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied and an MOE of 30 or higher was considered as being indicative of a low health concern. The mean lower bound (LB)/upper bound (UB) chronic dietary exposure was below or at the level of the TDI. The 95th percentile LB/UB chronic dietary exposure was below the TDI in adolescents and in all adult age groups, but generally exceeded the TDI in toddlers and in other children, as well as in infants in some surveys. This may raise a health concern in these young age groups. The MOE values for the mean UB acute dietary exposure and for the 95th percentile UB raises a health concern for nickel-sensitised individuals. The MOE values for an acute scenario regarding consumption of a glass of water on an empty stomach do not raise a health concern.

Annex: Summary statistics on occurrence and consumption data and exposure assessment results Table 1 Number of analytical results excluded from the initial dataset during data cleaning, and justification for exclusion Table 2 Occurrence values of OTA (µg/kg) in food as reported in the cleaned database Table 3 Occurrence values of OTA (µg/kg) in food as used for the exposure assessment Table 4 Dietary surveys per country and age group available in the EFSA Comprehensive Database, considered in the exposure assessment Table 5 Results of chronic dietary exposure assessment on OTA (ng/kg bw per day) Table 6 Main contributing food categories to the mean LB exposure assessments to OTA across European dietary surveys and population groups Table 7 Distribution of LOQ values among the different food categories Table 8 All contributing food categories to the mean LB and UB exposure to OTA across European dietary surveys and population groups FormattedDATA_OchratoxinA.zip: Occurrence data on OTA Contains the occurrence data of OTA on 73,891 food samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 4.7 Occurrence data., Annex: Summary statistics on occurrence and consumption data and exposure assessment results Table 1 Number of analytical results excluded from the initial dataset during data cleaning, and justification for exclusion Table 2 Occurrence values of OTA (µg/kg) in food as reported in the cleaned database Table 3 Occurrence values of OTA (µg/kg) in food as used for the exposure assessment Table 4 Dietary surveys per country and age group available in the EFSA Comprehensive Database, considered in the exposure assessment Table 5 Results of chronic dietary exposure assessment on OTA (ng/kg bw per day) Table 6 Main contributing food categories to the mean LB exposure assessments to OTA across European dietary surveys and population groups Table 7 Distribution of LOQ values among the different food categories Table 8 All contributing food categories to the mean LB and UB exposure to OTA across European dietary surveys and population groups FormattedDATA_OchratoxinA.zip: Occurrence data on OTA Contains the occurrence data of OTA on 73,891 food samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 4.7 Occurrence data. The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies can be found under "Related identifiers”.

Nickel_OCC_ZENODO.CSV Contains the raw (no data cleaning applied to it) occurrence dataset on nickel as extracted from EFSA DWH on 7 February 2020 in food samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 3.2.1. The data is provided in csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: action) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields). The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies can be found under "Related identifiers”., Nickel_OCC_ZENODO.CSV Contains the raw (no data cleaning applied to it) occurrence dataset on nickel as extracted from EFSA DWH on 7 February 2020 in food samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 3.2.1. The data is provided in csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: action) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields). The link to the catalogues of controlled terminologies can be found under "Related identifiers”.

Annex A – Benchmark dose analysis The Annex is provided as a separate pdf file containing the detailed results of the benchmark dose analyses from which no reference point was selected. Annex B – Dietary surveys per country and age group available in the EFSA Comprehensive Database, considered in the exposure assessment The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing the dietary surveys per country and age group. Annex C – Occurrence data on nickel in food and drinking water The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing summary statistics on occurrence data on nickel. Annex D – Chronic and acute dietary exposure to nickel and the contribution of different food groups to the dietary exposure The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing the chronic and acute dietary exposure to nickel per survey and the contribution of different food groups to the dietary exposure., Annex A – Benchmark dose analysis The Annex is provided as a separate pdf file containing the detailed results of the benchmark dose analyses from which no reference point was selected. Annex B – Dietary surveys per country and age group available in the EFSA Comprehensive Database, considered in the exposure assessment The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing the dietary surveys per country and age group. Annex C – Occurrence data on nickel in food and drinking water The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing summary statistics on occurrence data on nickel. Annex D – Chronic and acute dietary exposure to nickel and the contribution of different food groups to the dietary exposure The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing the chronic and acute dietary exposure to nickel per survey and the contribution of different food groups to the dietary exposure.

Annex A – Benchmark dose analysis The Annex is provided as a separate pdf file containing the detailed results of the benchmark dose analyses from which no reference point was selected. Annex B – Dietary surveys per country and age group available in the EFSA Comprehensive Database, considered in the exposure assessment The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing the dietary surveys per country and age group. Annex C – Occurrence data on nickel in food and drinking water The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing summary statistics on occurrence data on nickel. Annex D – Chronic and acute dietary exposure to nickel and the contribution of different food groups to the dietary exposure The Annex is provided as a separate Excel file containing the chronic and acute dietary exposure to nickel per survey and the contribution of different food groups to the dietary exposure.

This Annex is an excel file which presents tables on chlorinated paraffins on occurrence data in food and dietary exposure assessment for humans.

Contains the raw (no data cleaning applied to it) occurrence dataset on nickel as extracted from EFSA DWH on 7 February 2020 in food samples presented in the opinion as described in its section 3.2.1. The data is provided in csv format. This dataset is compliant with EFSA SSD model and contains two additional columns documenting issues identified in the cleaning process (column: issue) and the action taken (column: action) to address the issue (e.g. delete record or update values in specific fields).

The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks to animal health related to nitrite and nitrate in feed. For nitrate ion, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) identified a BMDL10 of 64 mg nitrate/kg body weight (bw) per day for adult cattle, based on methaemoglobin (MetHb) levels in animal's blood that would not induce clinical signs of hypoxia. The BMDL10 is applicable to all bovines, except for pregnant cows in which reproductive effects were not clearly associated with MetHb formation. Since the data available suggested that ovines and caprines are not more sensitive than bovines, the BMDL10 could also be applied to these species. Highest mean exposure estimates of 53 and 60 mg nitrate/kg bw per day in grass silage-based diets for beef cattle and fattening goats, respectively, may raise a health concern for ruminants when compared with the BMDL10 of 64 mg nitrate/kg bw per day. The concern may be higher because other forages might contain higher levels of nitrate. Highest mean exposure estimates of 2.0 mg nitrate/kg bw per day in pigs’ feeds indicate a low risk for adverse health effects, when compared with an identified no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 410 mg nitrate/kg bw per day, although the levels of exposure might be underestimated due to the absence of data on certain key ingredients in the diets of this species. Due to the limitations of the data available, the CONTAM Panel could not characterise the health risk in species other than ruminants and pigs from nitrate and in all livestock and companion animals from nitrite. Based on a limited data set, both the transfer of nitrate and nitrite from feed to food products of animal origin and the nitrate- and nitrite-mediated formation of N-nitrosamines and their transfer into these products are likely to be negligible.