Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for sodium 5‐nitroguaiacolate, sodium o‐nitrophenolate and sodium p‐nitrophenolate (sodium nitrocompounds) in table olives and olives for oil production

In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the applicant Asahi Chemical Europe s.r.o. submitted a request to the competent national authority in Greece to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substances sodium 5‐nitroguaiacolate (Na 5‐NG), sodium o‐nitrophenolate (Na o‐NP) and sodium p‐nitrophenolate (Na p‐NP) in table olives and olives for oil production in support of the intended SEU use. The data submitted in support of this MRL application were sufficient to derive an MRL of 0.12 mg/kg (at the combined limit of quantification (LOQ) of the three sodium nitrocompounds as validated in the framework of the residue trials). This higher MRL does not reflect residues in olives from the intended use but refers to occurrence of p‐nitrophenolate (p‐NP) from unidentified source. As p‐NP was present in all untreated olive samples regardless of the country of origin and the year of the treatment, in some cases at levels above the enforcement LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg, the applicant analysed residue trial samples using a method with a higher validated LOQ of 0.1 mg/kg for Na p‐NP. The competent authorities shall be aware that residues of p‐NP at levels < 0.1 mg/kg in olives are not related to the use of sodium nitrocompounds on the crop but to other sources of unknown origin. The current analytical methods for enforcement control residues of sodium nitrocompounds in high oil content matrices at the validated LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg per substance (combined LOQ of 0.03 mg/kg). Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of sodium nitrocompounds according to the reported agricultural practice and occurrence of p‐NP from unidentified source is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health.