Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/355
of 11 March 2016
amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the specific requirements for gelatine, collagen and highly refined products of animal origin intended for human consumption
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Whereas:
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 lays down specific rules on the hygiene of food of animal origin for food business operators. That Regulation provides in particular that food business operators are to ensure compliance with specific requirements for raw materials for the production of gelatine and collagen intended for human consumption.
It is necessary to ensure that raw materials for the production of gelatine and collagen for human consumption come from sources that meet the public and animal health requirements laid down in Union legislation.
The Union is highly dependent on imports of raw materials for the production of gelatine and collagen. Establishments producing those raw materials apply specific treatments to exclude public and animal health risks linked to those raw materials. It is therefore appropriate to allow those treatments prior to placing on the market in the Union.
It is appropriate to adapt the requirements for the production process for collagen to allow practical changes in cases where a change does not result in a different level of public health protection.
Analytical methods for verifying residue limits in gelatine and collagen should be adapted to the most appropriate and most recently validated methods.
Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 should therefore be amended accordingly.
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: