23-03-11Publication

Several notifications and alerts have been received through the European Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) on kitchen utensils made of plastic from China including Hong Kong, imported into the European Union. These notifications and alerts are mainly items that would release primary aromatic amines and formaldehyde in foodstuffs beyond the limits permitted by Directive 2002/72/EC.

In 2009, missions of the European Union conducted in China and Hong Kong by the Food Veterinary Office revealed serious shortcomings in the official control system in China. In addition, large quantities of cooking utensils made of polyamide and melamine coming from China and Hong Kong were tested with results that do not conform to requirements.

To minimize health risks for European consumers that can generate these articles, the European Union published on 21 March 2011, the EC Regulation No. 284/2011 which provides that each batch of articles imported into Europe must be accompanied by a written declaration of compliance and test results of migration of primary aromatic amines and formaldehyde. Documentary checks will be conducted on all lots and 10% of imported consignments will be taken for laboratory analysis and verification of compliance with regulatory requirements. These measures apply from 1 July 2011.

This document is available on the website : Regulation EC n°284/2011

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