Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils – Part III of III

Shipping of edible fats and oils into Europe is permitted in bulk tanks, in which substances, included in a positive list, had been previously transported. The European Commission requested EFSA to evaluate the list of substances in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils, taking into account its review of the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) criteria for acceptable previous cargoes and criteria proposed by the Codex Committee for Fats and Oils. This is the second of three scientific opinions by the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel), in which thirty-five of these substances or groups of substances have been evaluated. The CONTAM Panel concluded that fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty alcohol blends, fatty acid methyl esters, fatty acid esters, and animal, marine and vegetable and hydrogenated oils and fats, all as specified, and acid oils and fatty acid distillates, acetic acid, sulphuric acid, formic acid, acetic anhydride, acetone, n-heptane, n-hexane, cyclohexane, pentane, iso-propanol, propyl alcohol, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl ethyl ketone, n-propyl acetate, ammonium hydroxide, limonene, methyl tert-butyl ether, urea ammonia nitrate solution, calcium chloride solution, magnesium chloride solution, potable water, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, silicon dioxide, sorbitol, molasses and beeswax would not be of health concern as previous cargoes. However, because of its insolubility in water and high melting point, silicon dioxide is not suitable for transport in tankers for edible fats and oils. There was insufficient information available on the composition of wine lees for the CONTAM Panel to conclude that it would not be of health concern when used as a previous cargo. The CONTAM Panel made several recommendations regarding the way in which the substances are described in the Annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC, to correct inaccuracies and to better reflect current transport practices.