Contamination and environmental factors
The European Union takes care to prevent and limit any contamination of foodstuffs by certain undesirable substances or as a result of human activities. The EU thus regulates the use of certain specific chemical substances, such as those used in farming or in certain production or food processing techniques. Measures are also taken to limit contamination from the pollution of water or air, or from exposure to radioactivity. The risks of contamination by genetically modified organisms and by food packaging are also monitored.
- GENERAL PROVISIONS
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CONTAMINATION VIA CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
- Pesticides
- Maximum pesticide limits for food products for human consumption and animal feedingstuffs
- Fertilisers
- Agricultural nitrates
- Biocides
- Biocides (until 1 September 2013)
- Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
- Export and storage of mercury
- Community strategy concerning mercury
- Extraction solvents used in foodstuffs
- Community strategy for dioxins, furans and PCBs
- CONTAMINATION VIA SUBSTANCES HAVING A HORMONAL ACTION AND OTHER SUBSTANCES
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CONTAMINATION DUE TO CONTACT WITH FOODSTUFFS
- Good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
- Materials and articles which come into contact with foodstuffs
- Plastic materials and articles
- Recycled plastic materials and articles
- Materials and articles in regenerated cellulose film
- Active and intelligent materials and articles
- Testing migration of plastic materials in contact with foodstuffs
- Materials and articles containing vinyl chloride monomer
- Release of N-nitrosamines from rubber teats
- Restriction of epoxy derivatives in food packaging
- Ceramic objects in contact with foodstuffs
- CONTAMINATION DUE TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS
- RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION