FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions -
According to Regulation (EU) 1169/2011, substances that cause allergies or intolerances must be indicated on pre-packaged foods. The threshold levels listed below, which are also used by official surveillance authorities as a basis for evaluating laboratory results, are intended to provide guidance on when an allergen must be declared as an ingredient.
| Allergen | Analytically determined as | Mandatory labeling as ingredient according to Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 |
|
Cereals containing gluten (wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut) except: wheat-based glucose syrups, dextrose, wheat-based maltodextrins, barley-based glucose syrups, cereals for the production of alcoholic beverages |
Gluten | > 80 mg/kg |
| Eggs and products thereof | Whole egg powder | > 1 mg/kg |
| Peanuts and products thereof | Peanut | > 5 mg/kg |
|
Soybeans and products thereof except: fully refined soybean oil, natural tocopherols, plant oil-derived phytosterols, phytostanol esters from soybean oil sterols |
Full-fat soy flour | > 20 mg/kg |
|
Milk and products thereof (including lactose) except: whey for producing alcoholic beverages, lactitol |
Skimmed milk powder | > 2.5 mg/kg |
|
Treenuts and products thereof except: treenuts for producing alcoholic beverages Hazelnuts Cashew Almonds, walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamias, Queensland nuts |
As whole hazelnut, almond etc. |
> 5 mg/kg > 50 mg/kg > 20 mg/kg |
| Sesame seeds and products thereof | Unhulled sesame | > 10 mg/kg |
| Lupins and products thereof | Lupin | > 50 mg/kg |
| Celery and products thereof | Celery seed | > 20 mg/kg |
| Mustard and products thereof | Mustard seed | > 5 mg/kg |
These values are intended solely as guide values where the measurement uncertainty of the analytical methods must be considered.
Source: www.untersuchungsämter-bw.de
These values are intended solely as guide values where the measurement uncertainty of the analytical methods must be considered.
Source: http://www.untersuchungsämter-bw.de/pub/beitrag.asp?ID=878&subid=0&Thema_ID=9&lang=DE
The examination of the total germ count from hand swabs is not a suitable parameter for assessing the hygiene status, even after cleaning and disinfection, because the natural skin flora is not removed by hygienic hand disinfection. Enterobacteria are more suitable but can still not be completely reduced, depending on individual skin structure. Depending on the operation, it may be advisable to investigate specific parameters such as E. coli or Staphylococcus aureus. It should be considered that hands can also be contaminated by contact with raw animal or plant foods.
Allergies to wheat and peanuts are generally known in food products. However, skin contact with these substances can also lead to the development of corresponding allergies. For this reason, the EU has regulated the use and quality of wheat proteins and peanut oils.
Regulation (EU) 2017/2009 amending Annex III of the EU Cosmetic Regulation defines limits for these ingredients. From September 25, 2018, cosmetic products placed on the market must meet the aforementioned requirements.
Peanut oils used in cosmetics may only contain a maximum concentration of 0.5ppm of peanut proteins. The restriction for hydrolyzed wheat proteins depends on the average molecular mass of the peptides. The maximum value for the average mass is 3.5 kDa.
The exact text of Regulation (EU) 2017/2009 can be found under the following link.
Source: European Union
Recommendations include e.g. mozzarella, brined cheese, raw meat, meat products, casings, fish and fish products, soft and shellfish, instant and dried products, ready meals, prepared dishes, delicatessen products, cereal products, bread, bakery and pastry goods, pasta, dried fruits, oilseeds, nuts, mixed salads, fruit salads, herbs and spices, ice cream and chocolate.
Owners of a water supply facility (including private water supply) are required to have the water tested according to §14 of the Drinking Water Ordinance 2001. Examinations including sampling may only be carried out by authorized (accredited) testing laboratories.
An examination for legionella in drinking water installations is required when all of the following points are met:
- Presence of a large system for drinking water heating (= flow-through water heater with a content of more than 400 liters or more than three liters in at least one pipeline between the outlet of the water heater and the extraction point)
- The drinking water is supplied through a commercial (e.g. rental) or public activity (e.g. schools, hospitals, nursing homes)
- Atomization of the drinking water
In these cases, a systemic examination must be conducted. The obligation to conduct the examination always lies with the operator and other owners of the water supply system.
Microbiological criteria are included in several chapters of the Ph.Eur. Chapter 5.1.4 contains the acceptance criteria for non-sterile dosage forms (Table 1) as well as for raw materials used in their production (Table 2). Chapter 5.1.8 contains the acceptance criteria for herbal medicinal products for oral use.
Furthermore, many monographs of individual substances include specific acceptance criteria for microbiological quality.
Frequent detections occur, for example, in raw milk, fresh meat, spreadable raw sausage, soft cheese, leafy vegetables, and sprouts. Meat from ruminants and game is more frequently contaminated than pork.
Commonly contaminated are, for example, raw milk, raw milk cheese, semi-hard cheese, ready-to-eat sausages, pre-sliced cooked sausages, spreadable raw sausages, sliced packaged fruits or salads (ready-to-eat products), raw seafood, or smoked fish.
The publication is made in the form of a hygiene barometer, but also detailed contents of the inspections should be accessible to the citizens.
Further information can be found at www.ml.niedersachsen.de