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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 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.

Annexes to EFSA's Update Opinion on the risks for animal health related to the presence of OTA in feed. Annex B includes the occurrence data in feed extracted from EFSA Data Warehouse for the period from 2012 to 2021. Annex C contains the occurrence data expressed in dry matter following analysis and cleansing of the dataset as detailed in EFSA's Opinion. Annex D lists the samples of 'Compound feed' and other feed materials except forage expressed in whole weight. The number of samples across some of the feed categories differ among the two annex C and D because in few cases the moisture content was not reported (and no assumption on the moisture could be done), precluding the conversion of the analytical results to either whole weight or dry matter., Annexes to EFSA's Update Opinion on the risks for animal health related to the presence of OTA in feed. Annex B includes the occurrence data in feed extracted from EFSA Data Warehouse for the period from 2012 to 2021. Annex C contains the occurrence data expressed in dry matter following analysis and cleansing of the dataset as detailed in EFSA's Opinion. Annex D lists the samples of 'Compound feed' and other feed materials except forage expressed in whole weight. The number of samples across some of the feed categories differ among the two annex C and D because in few cases the moisture content was not reported (and no assumption on the moisture could be done), precluding the conversion of the analytical results to either whole weight or dry matter.

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”.

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.

The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific evaluation on the risks to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in food. Based on several similar effects in animals, toxicokinetics and observed concentrations in human blood, the CONTAM Panel decided to perform the assessment for the sum of four PFASs: PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS and PFOS. These made up half of the lower bound (LB) exposure to those PFASs with available occurrence data, the remaining contribution being primarily from PFASs with short half-lives. Equal potencies were assumed for the four PFASs included in the assessment. The mean LB exposure in adolescents and adult age groups ranged from 3 to 22, the 95th percentile from 9 to 70 ng/kg body weight (bw) per week. Toddlers and ‘other children’ showed a twofold higher exposure. Upper bound exposure was 4- to 49-fold higher than LB levels, but the latter were considered more reliable. ‘Fish meat’, ‘Fruit and fruit products’ and ‘Eggs and egg products’contributed most to the exposure. Based on available studies in animals and humans, effects on the immune system were considered the most critical for the risk assessment. From a human study, a lowest BMDL10 of 17.5 ng/mL for the sum of the four PFASs in serum was identified for 1-year-old children.Using PBPK modelling, this serum level of 17.5 ng/mL in children was estimated to correspond to longterm maternal exposure of 0.63 ng/kg bw per day. Since accumulation over time is important, a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng/kg bw per week was established. This TWI also protects against other potential adverse effects observed in humans. Based on the estimated LB exposure, but also reported serum levels, the CONTAM Panel concluded that parts of the European population exceed this TWI,which is of concern.

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 (a-solanine and a-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 a-solanine and a-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.

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 lg/kg body weight (bw) per day was calculated from kidney lesions observed in pigs. For characterisation of neoplastic effects, a BMDL10 of 14.5 lg/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.

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 European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) in feed and food. This risk assessment is limited to QAs occurring in Lupinus species/varieties relevant for animal and human consumption in Europe (i.e. Lupinus albus L., Lupinus angustifolius L., Lupinus luteus L. and Lupinus mutabilis Sweet). Information on the toxicity of QAs in animals and humans is limited. Following acute exposure to sparteine (reference compound), anticholinergic effects and changes in cardiac electric conductivity are considered to be critical for human hazard characterisation. The CONTAM Panel used a margin of exposure (MOE) approach identifying a lowest single oral effective dose of 0.16 mg sparteine/kg body weight as reference point to characterise the risk following acute exposure. No reference point could be identified to characterise the risk of chronic exposure. Because of similar modes of action for QAs, the CONTAM Panel used a group approach assuming dose additivity. For food, the highest mean concentration of Total QAs (TotQAs) (i.e. the 6 most abundant QAs) was found in lupin seed samples classified as ‘Lupins (dry) and similar-’. Due to the limited data on occurrence and consumption, dietary exposure was calculated for some specific scenarios and no full human health risk characterisation was possible. The calculated margin of exposures (MOEs) may indicate a risk for some consumers. For example, when lupin seeds are consumed without a debittering step, or as debittered lupin seeds high in QA content and when ‘lupin-based meat imitates’ are consumed. For horses, companion and farm animals, other than salmonids, the available database on adverse effects was too limited to identify no-observed-adverse-effect levels and/or lowest-observed-adverse-effect levels and no risk characterisation was possible. For salmonids, the CONTAM Panel considers the risk for adverse effects to be

Shipping of edible fats and oils into Europe is permitted in bulk tanks, provided that the previous cargo is included in a positive list. The European Commission requested EFSA to evaluate the acceptability of calcium lignosulfonate as previous cargo for fats and oils. The evaluation was based on the same criteria as those used for the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as a acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils. In 2017, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) concluded that calcium lignosulfonate did not meet the acceptability criteria, due to uncertainties as regards the composition and toxicity of its low-molecular weight fraction (LMWF) below 1,000 Da. In the current evaluation, new information, showing lack of genotoxicity of the LMWF isolated from a technical grade of calcium lignosulfonate was provided. Due to uncertainties regarding the presence of lignosulfonate components below 200 Da in this LMWF tested for genotoxicity, the CONTAM Panel concluded that the information provided was insufficient to assess the acceptability of calcium lignosulfonate as previous cargo. The Panel recommends a better analysis of the LMWF and a new genotoxicity test using this LMWF, including components < 200 Da, and evidence that the tested material is representative of the LMWF in products intended to be shipped as previous cargo for edible fat and oils.

The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific opinion on the risks for animal and human health related to the presence of chlorinated paraffins in feed and food. The data for experimental animals were reviewed and the CONTAM Panel identified the liver, kidney and thyroid as the target organs for the SCCP and MCCP mixtures tested in repeated dose toxicity studies. Decreased pup survival and subcutaneous haematoma/haemorrhage were also identified as critical effects for an MCCP mixture. For the LCCP mixtures tested, the liver was identified as the target organ. The Panel selected as reference points a BMDL10 of 2.3 mg/kg bw per day for increased incidence of nephritis in male rats, and of 36 mg/kg bw per day for increased relative kidney weights in male and female rats for SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively. For LCCPs, a reference point relevant for humans could not be identified. Due to the limitations in the toxicokinetic and toxicological database, the Panel concluded that derivation of a health-based guidance value was not appropriate. Only limited data on the occurrence of SCCPs and MCCPs in some fish species were submitted to EFSA. No data were submitted for LCCPs. Thus, a robust exposure assessment and consequently a complete risk characterisation could not be performed. A preliminary risk characterisation based only on the consumption of fish was performed, and the calculated margins of exposure suggested no health concern for this limited scenario. The Panel noted that dietary exposure will be higher due to the contribution of CPs from other foods. The Panel was not able to identify reference points for farm animals, horses and companion animals. No occurrence data for feed were submitted to EFSA.Therefore, no risk characterisation could be performed for any of these animal species.

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 EFSA Scientific Committee was asked to provide guidance on the most appropriate in vivo tests to follow up on positive in vitro results for aneugenicity, and on the approach to risk assessment for substances that are aneugenic but not clastogenic nor causing gene mutations. The Scientific Committee confirmed that the preferred approach is to perform an in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test with a relevant route of administration. If this is positive, it demonstrates that the substance is aneugenic in vivo. A negative result with evidence that the bone marrow is exposed to the test substance supports a conclusion that aneugenic activity is not expressed in vivo. If there is no evidence of exposure to the bone marrow, a negative result is viewed as inconclusive and further studies are required. The liver micronucleus assay, even though not yet fully validated, can provide supporting information for substances that are aneugenic following metabolic activation. The gastrointestinal micronucleus test, conversely, to be further developed, may help to assess aneugenic potential at the initial site of contact for substances that are aneugenic in vitro without metabolic activation. Based on the evidence in relation to mechanisms of aneugenicity, the Scientific Committee concluded that, in principle, health-based guidance values can be established for substances that are aneugenic but not clastogenic nor causing gene mutations, provided that a comprehensive toxicological database is available. For situations in which the toxicological database is not sufficient to establish health-based guidance values, some approaches to risk assessment are proposed. The Scientific Committee recommends further development of the gastrointestinal micronucleus test, and research to improve the understanding of aneugenicity to support risk assessment.