Consultation on the joint AFC/BIOHAZ draft guidance document on the submission of data for the evaluation of the safety and the efficacy of substances other than potable water intended to be used to decontaminate the surfaces of foods of animal origin.

Article 3(2) of Regulation 853/2004 of the European Parliament and Council lays down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin, effective from 1 January 2006 and provides a legal basis for the use of substances other than potable water to remove surface contamination from foods of animal origin. Currently, EFSA has received a number of requests from the European Commission in order to evaluate both the safety and the efficacy of such substances.

The AFC and BIOHAZ panels initiated the preparation of a draft guidance document which aims to assist in the submission of data for the evaluation of the safety and the efficacy of substances other than potable water intended to be used to decontaminate the surface of foods of animal origin.

EFSA and the AFC and ΒΙΟΗΑΖ Panels decided to consult interested parties before the final adoption of this document. The outcome of this consultation will be taken into account during the final adoption of this document by EFSA’s BIOHAZ and AFC Panels.

See below the Draft guidance document on the safety and the efficacy of substances intended to be used to decontaminate the surfaces of foods of animal origin. For the purpose of this document foods of animal origin are limited to fresh unprocessed products of animal origin.