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1 Chemicals in the Food and Beverage Industry: An Introduction
Table 1.1 Classification of CMR substances in the European Union
Substance
(classification)
According to repealed EU
directives 67/548/EEC and
1999/45/EC
According to the EU CLP
regulation
Category Limit (in general)
(%)
Category
Limit (%)
Cancerogen
1 and 2
≥0.1
1A and 1B
≥0.1
3
≥1.0
2
≥1.0
Mutagen
1 and 2
≥0.1
1A and 1B
≥0.1
3
≥1.0
2
≥1.0
Toxic for
reproduction
1 and 2
≥0.5
1 and 2
≥0.3
3
≥5.0
3
≥3.0
Effect concerning or
via breast-feeding
≥0.3
limit shown in Table 1.1 (except for substances whose classification threshold is
specifically referenced).
Some notes should be considered. First of all, the substitution of the most dangerous chemical agents with less harmful substances or processes should be a priority
in the prevention of chemical risks. According to the European Regulation (EC) No
1272/2008, substitution is an issue of the Occupational Health Plan published in 2005
and the new REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (concerning the registration,
evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals), which covers in particular
carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic for reproduction (CMR) substances. Thus, three
categories of ‘dangerous chemical agents’ are not considered as CMR:
(1) Category 3 CMR (suspected effects)
(2) CMR classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC)
(3) CMR whose carcinogenic nature is recognized (e.g., crystalline silica dust).
Moreover, the occurrence of cancer depends on both the intensity of exposure to
the product and the duration and frequency of contact with the carcinogen, and it also
depends on individual factors. The use of chemicals—particularly CMR—requires
prior consultation of complete product information sheets. Thus, the special rules of
prevention to be taken against exposure risks to CMR agents can be summarized as
follows:
(1) Substitution of CMR where technically possible. The results of the corresponding investigations are recorded in the single document
(2) Work in isolation (however, this practice in ‘crowded’ areas such as certain food
industries may be difficult)
(3) Organizational and technical measures consisting of:
1 Chemicals in the Food and Beverage Industry: An Introduction
Table 1.1 Classification of CMR substances in the European Union
Substance
(classification)
According to repealed EU
directives 67/548/EEC and
1999/45/EC
According to the EU CLP
regulation
Category Limit (in general)
(%)
Category
Limit (%)
Cancerogen
1 and 2
≥0.1
1A and 1B
≥0.1
3
≥1.0
2
≥1.0
Mutagen
1 and 2
≥0.1
1A and 1B
≥0.1
3
≥1.0
2
≥1.0
Toxic for
reproduction
1 and 2
≥0.5
1 and 2
≥0.3
3
≥5.0
3
≥3.0
Effect concerning or
via breast-feeding
≥0.3
limit shown in Table 1.1 (except for substances whose classification threshold is
specifically referenced).
Some notes should be considered. First of all, the substitution of the most dangerous chemical agents with less harmful substances or processes should be a priority
in the prevention of chemical risks. According to the European Regulation (EC) No
1272/2008, substitution is an issue of the Occupational Health Plan published in 2005
and the new REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (concerning the registration,
evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals), which covers in particular
carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic for reproduction (CMR) substances. Thus, three
categories of ‘dangerous chemical agents’ are not considered as CMR:
(1) Category 3 CMR (suspected effects)
(2) CMR classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC)
(3) CMR whose carcinogenic nature is recognized (e.g., crystalline silica dust).
Moreover, the occurrence of cancer depends on both the intensity of exposure to
the product and the duration and frequency of contact with the carcinogen, and it also
depends on individual factors. The use of chemicals—particularly CMR—requires
prior consultation of complete product information sheets. Thus, the special rules of
prevention to be taken against exposure risks to CMR agents can be summarized as
follows:
(1) Substitution of CMR where technically possible. The results of the corresponding investigations are recorded in the single document
(2) Work in isolation (however, this practice in ‘crowded’ areas such as certain food
industries may be difficult)
(3) Organizational and technical measures consisting of: