164. The 32nd CCFAC agreed to return the draft Guideline Level for Cadmium in Cereals, Pulses and Legumes to Step 6 and other proposed draft Maximum Levels to Step 3 for circulation, comment and further consideration at its current meeting[71]. The delegation of Denmark also noted that it had provided monitoring data on cadmium from various regions of the world in CRD 11.
165. In discussing the evaluation of Cadmium at the 55th JECFA meeting, the WHO Joint Secretary explained that the former PTWI of 7 mg/kg body weight was maintained and that JECFA had considered that certain additional studies were required to allow a full evaluation. The Delegation of Japan referred to their written comments (CX/FAC 01/28), whereby they indicated that the results of the studies requested by JECFA would be ready by the end of 2002 and therefore, the Committee should await the final results of the JECFA evaluation before proceeding further and this comment was supported by several delegations. The delegation of the United States stated that advancing the levels for cadmium should await the availability of the JECFA exposure assessment, which was in press, in order to take a properly informed decision in the CCFAC.
166. The Committee had a long discussion on the individual draft guideline and maximum levels. The Committee decided to forward the draft Guideline Level of 0.1 mg/kg for Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (Step 7) to the Commission for adoption at Step 8 (see Appendix XV), with the understanding that Bran and Germ were excluded, as well as Wheat Grain, Rice, Soybeans and Peanuts, because different draft maximum levels were proposed for these commodities. Furthermore, the Committee noted that, in view of a question raised on the applicability of the Maximum Level for Flaxseed, this was an oilseed and oilseeds were a different category of foods in the Food Categorisation System used for the GSCTF.
167. The Delegation of Germany requested the Committee to consider the establishment of maximum levels for Chocolate and Chocolate Products in view of the fact that its information indicated the possibility of high contamination of these products resulting in considerable exposure. The Committee agreed to request information on proposed draft levels in the Circular Letter to this report.
Status of the Draft Guideline Level and Proposed Draft Maximum Levels for Cadmium
168. The Committee decided to forward the proposed draft Maximum Levels for Cadmium in Fruit (0.05 mg/kg), Wheat Grain and Rice (including Bran and Germ) (0.2 mg/kg), Soybeans and Peanuts (0.2 mg/kg), Meat of Cattle, Poultry, Pig and Sheep (0.05 mg/kg), Meat of Horse (0.2 mg/kg), and Crustaceans (excluding Lobster and Brown Meat from Crab) (0.5 mg/kg) to the Commission for adoption at Step 5 (see Appendix XV). The Delegation of Australia informed the Committee that this may exclude a significant proportion of their Crustacean produce from international trade.
169. The Committee decided to forward the proposed draft Maximum Levels for Cadmium in Vegetables (excluding Leafy Vegetables, Fresh Herbs, Stem and Root Vegetables, Fungi, Tomatoes and Peeled Potatoes) (0.05 mg/kg), Peeled Potatoes, Stem and Root Vegetables (excluding Celeriac) (0.1 mg/kg) and Leafy Vegetables, Fresh Herbs, Fungi and Celeriac (0.2 mg kg) to the Commission for adoption at Step 5 (see Appendix XV). It was noted that the category of Tomatoes was excluded from all levels until further information became available. The delegation of Japan noted that maximum levels for vegetables and other foods should be based on scientific data and that the ALARA Principles should be applied consistently.
170. The Committee returned the proposed draft Maximum Levels for Cadmium in Liver (Cattle, Poultry, Pig and Sheep) (0.5 mg/kg), Kidney (Cattle, Poultry, Pig and Sheep) (1.0 mg/kg) and Molluscs (1.0 mg/kg) to Step 3 for circulation, comments and further consideration at its next Session. Regarding the last category, Molluscs, several delegations noted that various sub-species contained naturally-occurring Cadmium levels exceeding 1.0 mg/kg and it was noted that this category may need further subdivision and/or explanation, but that new information was required to allow further elaboration. Sweden, speaking on behalf of the member states of the EU, proposed that maximum levels for cadmium in fish should also be established.
171. The Committee agreed that it would consider levels of cadmium taking into consideration all available scientific data, including the results of the Japanese studies.
