MEPs on the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) oppose the European Commission's draft regulation on maximum levels of acrylamide - a carcinogenic chemical contaminant present in some widely consumed foods cooked at very high temperatures - in certain foods for infants and young children both on public health grounds and in line with the precautionary principle (see EUROPE 12209/9).
The objection was adopted on Monday 28 September by 53 votes (26 against).
To support their concerns, the MEPs note in particular that: - infants, toddlers and other children make up the most at-risk age group because of their low body weight and are therefore particularly vulnerable; - the toxicity of acrylamide has been recognised since 2002; - the endocrine-disrupting properties of acrylamide have been discussed in several scientific studies and require urgent consideration.
The Commission proposes setting maximum levels for two food categories, namely ‘biscuits and rusks for infants and young children’ (150 µg/kg, which corresponds to the current reference level) and for ‘baby foods, processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children, excluding biscuits and rusks’ (50 µg/kg, which is 10 µg/kg higher than the current reference level of 40 µg/kg). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)