(1)

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (2) sets maximum levels for cadmium in a range of foodstuffs.

(2)

On 30 January 2009, the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) adopted a scientific opinion on cadmium in food (3). The Authority concluded that cadmium is primarily toxic to the kidney, especially to the proximal tubular cells where it accumulates over time and may cause renal dysfunction. In view of the toxic effects of cadmium on kidneys, the Authority established a tolerable weekly intake for cadmium of 2,5 μg/kg body weight. The Authority further concluded that the mean exposure for adults across the Union is close to, or slightly exceeds, the tolerable weekly intake. It also concluded that subgroups such as vegetarians, children, smokers and people living in highly contaminated areas may exceed the tolerable weekly intake by about twofold. Therefore, the Authority concluded that the current exposure to cadmium at the population level needs to be reduced. Following that scientific opinion, the Authority issued, on 17 January 2012, a scientific report where it confirmed that children and adults at the 95th percentile exposure could exceed the health-based guidance values (4).

(3)

Taking into account the Authority’s scientific opinion and scientific report, new maximum levels for cadmium in baby foods and chocolate/cocoa products were established under Commission Regulation (EU) No 488/2014 (5). Commission Recommendation 2014/193/EU (6) was adopted, which called on Member States to ensure that the available mitigation methods were communicated and promoted to farmers and started or continued to be implemented, to regularly monitor the progress of the mitigation measures by collecting occurrence data on cadmium levels in foodstuffs and to report the data, in particular on cadmium levels close to or exceeding the maximum levels, by February 2018.

(4)

On the basis of the occurrence data, gathered after the implementation of the mitigation measures, by means of Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1323 (7) the maximum levels for cadmium were lowered in a wide range of foods.

(5)

Since the publication of Regulation (EU) 2021/1323, new occurrence data have become available for tiger nuts and for some less consumed species of cultivated fungi.

(6)

The maximum level for cadmium in radishes, which by Regulation (EU) 2021/1323, was lowered from 0,10 to 0,020 mg/kg applies to tiger nuts. This maximum level was lowered on the basis of the at that time available occurrence data for the most consumed species within the commodity group of radishes (Raphanus sativus var. sativus). However, in the meanwhile more recent occurrence data have become available specifically for tiger nuts, which show that tiger nuts contain higher concentrations of cadmium than other radishes. Therefore, it has become clear that the maximum level established for cadmium in tiger nuts is not in line with the ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)’ principle. Furthermore in view of the low consumption volume of tiger nuts, their contribution to the consumer exposure to cadmium is limited.

(7)

By Regulation (EU) 2021/1323 the maximum levels for cultivated fungi were lowered from 0,20 mg/kg for Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus and 1,0 mg/kg for other cultivated fungi to 0,15 mg/kg for Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus and 0,050 mg/kg for all other cultivated fungi, including Agaricus bisporus. The maximum level for cultivated fungi other than Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus was lowered on the basis of the at that time available occurrence data for the most consumed species of this commodity group (Agaricus bisporus). However, in the meanwhile more recent occurrence data have become available for some specific species of cultivated fungi less consumed than Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus, which show that these contain higher cadmium concentrations than Agaricus bisporus. Therefore, it has become clear that the maximum level established for cadmium in cultivated fungi other than Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus is not in line with the ‘ALARA’ principle. Furthermore, as the species Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus represent the main fraction of the total volume of fungi consumed in the Union, the contribution of the other cultivated fungi to the consumer exposure to cadmium is limited.

(8)

In order to take into account the ‘ALARA’ principle and avoid disproportionate non-compliance rates for tiger nuts and cultivated fungi other than Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus, while maintaining a high level of food safety, the maximum levels for cadmium in those species should be increased.

(9)

Therefore, Regulation (EU) 2023/915 should be amended accordingly.

(10)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,