From 1st January 2023, binding EU-wide THC limits will apply to foods made from hemp seed. From the opinion of the Standing Committee on Foodstuffs the maximum levels based on Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 in foodstuffs made from hemp seeds will be set at 3.0 mg/kg for dry products (flour, proteins, seeds) and 7.5 mg/kg for hemp seed oil.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides information on health risks from dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food and feed. Dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs are toxic chemicals that form in combustion processes, in particular during the incineration of materials containing PCBs, but also of multifunctional waste or of sewage sludge. Dioxins also exhibit high persistence in the environment and accumulate in small amounts in the fatty tissues of animals.

With the acquisition of the French company KaLy-Cell SAS (KaLy-Cell), GBA Group expands its European pharmaceutical network. This is an important milestone for the GBA Group to offer a comprehensive service portfolio for national and international customers along the development phases of new safe medicines as well as chemicals for cosmetic and crop protection applications.

With Regulation (EU) 2021/1408 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, new maximum levels for tropane alkaloids (atropine and scopolamine) will come into force from September 1st, 2022 in the following products: processed cereal-based foods, unprocessed corn, buckwheat & millet and herbal teas.

Foods (except for the listed grain-based foods) that were lawfully placed on the market before September 1st, 2022, may be sold until their best-before or use-by dates.

GBA Group has developed a method for PFAS analysis. The accredited routine parameter of the GBA Group can detect a spectrum of 28 substances with highest sensitivity. The product groups meat, fish, eggs, fruit, vegetables, baby food and milk are covered and limits of determination below the specified maximum levels are achieved, so that even traces of the substances can still be detected.