The Food and Biocides Industry Group (FBIG) has written to the World Trade Organization, European Commission, the UK Government and European trade federations highlighting fundamental issues regarding the incorrect legal basis being used by the EU to regulate hygiene biocides, i.e. as plant protection products (PPPs). This follows the EU planning to halve the Maximim Residue Limits (MRLs) for the quaternary ammonium biocide didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) in products of plant origin.
The EU does however appear to continue to recognise the importance hygiene biocides play in assuring food safety and the necessary use of DDAC in production of products of animal origin as they are not proposing a similar MRL reduction for those foods. This point was secured by FBIG in 2017 (CFA News 47). FBIG contends that contaminants legislation would be the most appropriate regulatory approach for hygiene biocides, not PPP law.
October 2022