Titel: Aromastofbekendtgørelsen, annex 1 og annex 2 stoffer ...

SUMMARY
The regional Veterinary and Food Administration, centre East completed in 2007-2009 projects No.
2005-20-64-00730 and 2007-20-64-00451 “Overvågning af Annex 1 og Annex 2 stoffer fra
aromastofbekendtgørelsen” del I og del II. This report includes the results from samples analyzed in
both projects. The studies are part of the Food Agency's surveillance program on the compounds
described in the Executive Order No. 433/2005 (Bekendtgørelse nr. 433/2005 om aromaer m.m.,
der må anvendes til fødevarer).
The purpose of these projects was to monitor the content of compounds described in the Executive
Order No. 433. Another purpose was to investigate the possibility to include coumarin, menthofuran
and methyl eugenol in the analytical method in future studies of these compounds.
174 samples were analysed in the projects. The samples were divided into alcoholic beverages, non
alcoholic beverages, spices, spicy soups etc., spice mixtures for bitters, confectionery and ice
cream. The products were analyzed for their content of β-asarone, estragole, pulegone, safrole,
isosafrole, α- og β-thujon.
Two samples exceeding the legal limit for thujon were found. One sample exceeding the legal limit
was an alcoholic beverage (absinthe); the second was a confectionery product. In addition, one
alcoholic beverage (bitter) contained safrole in a concentration close to the limit.
Isosafrol was not found in any samples, this is probably because isosafrole is not naturally present
in food but occurs as an artefact under specific conditions.
The European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 1334/2008 was published before the
projects were completed; samples were therefore also evaluated according to this. As a consequence
of this evaluation only one sample exceeded the legal limit for thujon. The excess of thujon was
found in an alcoholic beverage (absinthe).
Preliminary results showed satisfactory chromatography of coumarin, menthofuran and methyl
eugenol. A final validation will determine if these three compounds can be included as analytes in
future projects.
Analytical results including comments have been sent to the regional authorities responsible for
enforcement action.
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