[PLF 2025] Suivez en temps réel le projet de loi finance 2025 sur Pappers Politique !

Pappers Politique vous permet de rechercher et surveiller les amendements, rapports, questions, propositions de loi des députés et sénateurs
  • Suivi automatiquement de vos amendements
  • Suivez en temps réel les débats parlementaires
  • Cartographie parlementaire avancée
Réserver une démo

Food contamination from microplastics: research published by the University of Catania Department of Hygiene

Question écrite de Mme Rosa D'AMATO - Commission européenne


Subject: Food contamination from microplastics: research published by the University of Catania Department of Hygiene

As mentioned in previous question E-000493-19, the Catania Department of Hygiene has detected microplastic contamination with the aid of an innovative patent which, for the first time internationally, uses micron-scale analysis.

The Commission has admitted that the information concerning the presence of microplastics in vegetables is new to it and states that further research is required in order to enable risks to be assessed for consumers and to take the necessary measures.

Following the publication of the research by the University of Catania Department of Hygiene in the scientific journal Environmental Research, and in the light of its answer to Question E-000493-19, can the Commission say:

what its view is on the publication of this research;

whether it intends to initiate an assessment of EU legislation on microplastics and food safety, in view of the need to amend it?

Réponse - Commission européenne

Diffusée le 20 septembre 2020

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

(21 September 2020)

The research published by the Catania Department of Hygiene (1) confirms the findings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2), that humans are exposed to micro‐ and nano-plastics through their diet.

The authors acknowledge the importance of additional toxicological and epidemiological studies. Following the recommendations by the Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (3) that research is needed to fill knowledge gaps in this area, a call for research proposals on ‘Micro‐ and nano-plastics in our environment: Understanding exposures and impacts on human health’ was launched in July 2019 (4) under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. In addition, other research topics (5) contribute to this priority.

EFSA will organise in May 2021 a Scientific Colloquium (6), where one of the main topics for discussion will be the identification of the data gaps, which need filling in the context of risk assessment for health.

The European Strategy on Plastics (7) proposes several measures to tackle microplastics pollution. The European Chemical Agency proposed a restriction on microplastics intentionally added in products under the REACH Regulation (8).

In addition, two studies are being launched on unintentional releases of microplastics such as from textiles, tyre abrasion and pellets in view of possible measures by the Commission. Once sufficient scientific information is available, EFSA will be requested to perform a risk assessment on possible health effects related to presence of micro‐ and nano‐ plastics in feed and food.

Taking into account the outcome of this risk assessment, appropriate regulatory measures under Regulation (EEC) 315/1993 (9) will be considered to ensure a high level of public health protection.

⋅1∙ Publication of the research performed by the Catania Department of Hygiene: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120305703?via%3Dihub

⋅2∙ EFSA CONTAM Panel (EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain), 2016.

Statement on the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in food, with particular focus on seafood. EFSA Journal 2016;14(6):4501, 30 pp. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4501

⋅3∙ Environmental and Health Risks of Microplastic Pollution, Group of Chief Scientific Advisors Scientific Opinion 6/2019,

https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/research_and_innovation/groups/sam/ec_rtd_sam-mnp-opinion_042019.pdf ⋅4∙ https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/sc1-bhc-36-2020 . The submission deadline for research proposals

closed on 4 June 2020.

⋅5∙ For example the topic: Emerging challenges for soil management: use of plastic in agriculture https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2018-

2020/main/h2020-wp1820-food_en.pdf

⋅6∙ Scientific Colloquium: ‘A coordinated approach to assess the human health risks of micro‐ and nanoplastics in food’ http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/event/new-

dates-may-2021-efsa-scientific-colloquium-25-coordinated-approach

⋅7∙ Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A

European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy COM(2018) 28 final. ⋅8∙ https://echa.europa.eu/it/registry-of-restriction-intentions/-/dislist/details/0b0236e18244cd73 ⋅9∙ Council Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in food (OJ L 037, 13.2.1993, p. 1).

















Questions similaires

Déposée le 12 février 2019 à 23h00
Similarité de la question: 67% Similarité de la réponse: 58%
Déposée le 24 août 2020 à 22h00
Similarité de la question: 63% Similarité de la réponse: 73%
Déposée le 21 janvier 2018 à 23h00
Similarité de la question: 61% Similarité de la réponse: 71%
Déposée le 10 décembre 2018 à 23h00
Similarité de la question: 63% Similarité de la réponse: 70%
Déposée le 27 février 2019 à 23h00
Similarité de la question: 64% Similarité de la réponse: 50%
Déposée le 6 juillet 2020 à 22h00
Similarité de la question: 66% Similarité de la réponse: 64%