Commission Regulation (EU) No 915/2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 lays down, amongst other things, the maximum levels for mycotoxins and arsenic. In the past, elevated levels of arsenic have repeatedly been detected in rice cakes. Compliance with these maximum levels is to be verified as part of this targeted campaign: for cereal cakes with regard to mycotoxins, and for rice cakes with regard to mycotoxins and arsenic.

Seventeen samples were analysed, of which one sample was found to be non-compliant:

• In one sample of wholemeal rice cakes, the maximum level for aflatoxin B1 was exceeded. The sample was assessed as being harmful to health.