Home

Regulation (EC) 915/2023

Annex I
Maximum levels for certain contaminants in food(1)

5.1 Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): Sum of PAHs:benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and chrysene


ReferenceNumberingFoodstuffsMaximum Level (ug/kg)Remarks
For the sum of PAHs, maximum levels refer to lower bound concentrations, which are calculated on the assumption that all the values of the four substances below the limit of quantification are zero.
B5.1.1 Banana chips 20.0-
B5.1.10 Dried spices 50.0 Except cardamom and smoked Capsicum spp. The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the market.
B5.1.11 Oils and fats placed on the market for the final consumer or use as an ingredient in food 10.0 Except cocoa butter and coconut oil. This maximum level applies to vegetable oils used as an ingredient in food supplements.
B5.1.12 Coconut oil placed on the market for the final consumer or use as an ingredient in food 20.0-
M65.1.13 Infant formulae, follow-on formulae(3) and young-child formulae(4)The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the market.
M65.1.13.1placed on the market as powder1.0
M65.1.13.2placed on the market as liquid1.0
B5.1.14 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children(3) 1.0 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the market.
B5.1.15 Food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children(3) 1.0 The maximum level applies to the products ready to use (placed on the market as such or after reconstitution as instructed by the manufacturer).
M65.1.15.1placed on the market as powder1.0
M65.1.15.2placed on the market as liquid1.0
B5.1.16 Food supplements containing botanicals and their preparations (13) Food supplements containing propolis, royal jelly, spirulina or their preparations 50.0 The maximum level does not apply to food supplements containing vegetable oils. For vegetable oils used as an ingredient in food supplements, see point 5.1.11.
B5.1.2 Powders of food of plant origin for the preparation of beverages except products listed in 5.1.4 and 5.1.5 50.0 The preparation of beverages refers to the use of powders that are finely ground and are stirred into drinks. Except instant or soluble coffee.
B5.1.3 Dried herbs 50.0 The maximum level applies to the product as placed on the market.
B5.1.4 Cocoa beans and derived products except products listed in 5.1.5 30.0 ?g/kg fat Including cocoa butter.
B5.1.5 Cocoa fibre and products derived from cocoa fibre intended for use as an ingredient in food 15.0 Cocoa fibre is a specific cocoa product produced from the shell of the cocoa bean and contains higher levels of PAHs than the cocoa products produced from the cocoa nibs. The cocoa fibre and derived products are intermediate products in the production chain and are used as an ingredient in the preparation of low calorie, high fibre food.
B5.1.6 Smoked meat and smoked meat products 12.0-
B5.1.7 Smoked fishery products(2) except products listed in 5.1.8 12.0-
B5.1.8 Smoked sprats and canned smoked sprats (Sprattus sprattus) Smoked Baltic herring ? 14 cm length and canned smoked Baltic herring ? 14 cm length (Clupea harengus membras) Katsuobushi (dried bonito, Katsuwonus pelamis) Bivalve molluscs(2) (fresh, chilled or frozen) Heat treated meat and heat treated meat products placed on the market for the final consumer 30.0 Where fish are intended to be eaten whole, the maximum level applies to the whole fish. Meat and meat products that have undergone a heat treatment potentially resulting in formation of PAH, i.e. only grilling and barbecuing. For the canned products, the maximum level applies to the whole content of the can. As regards the maximum level for the whole composite product, Article 3(1) and (2) apply.
B5.1.9 Smoked bivalve molluscs(2) 35.0-