16.3.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L77/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 466/2001 of 8 March 2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Com- munity, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in food (1), and in particular Article 2(3) thereof, After consulting the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF), Whereas: (1) Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 provides that maximum levels must be set for certain contaminants in foodstuffs in order to protect public health. These maximum levels must be adopted in the form of a non-exhaustive Community list which may contain levels for the same contaminant in different foodstuffs. The sampling and analysis methods to be applied may be specified. Commission Regulation (EC) No 194/97 of 31 January 1997, setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (?), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1566/1999 (%), has been amended substantially several times. Since further amendments are to be made, it should be recast in the interests of clarity. It is essential, in order to protect public health, to keep contaminants at levels which are toxicologically 5 acceptable. The presence of contaminants must be reduced more thoroughly wherever possible by means of good manufacturing or agricultural practices, in order to achieve a higher level of health protection, especially for sensitive groups of the population. In view of disparities between the laws of Member States in regard to the maximum levels for contaminants in certain foodstuffs and the consequent risk of distortion of competition, Community measures are necessary in order to ensure market unity while abiding by the principle of proportionality. Member States must adopt appropriate surveillance measures regarding the presence of contaminants in foodstuffs. So far, Community legislation does not set maximum levels for contaminants in food intended for infants and young children covered by Commission Directive 91/321/EEC(¥, as last amended by Directive 1999/50/EC (°), and Commission Directive 96/5/EC (%), as last amended by Directive 1999/39/EC(’). After having consulted the SCF, specific maximum levels for those foodstuffs should be established as soon as possible. Until then the levels set in this Regulation should also apply to those foodstuffs in so far as no stricter level has been set by national legislation. 4 OJL 175, 4.7.1991, p. 35. () OJL37,13.2.1993,p. 1. (2) OJL31,1.2.1997, p. 48. () OJL184,17.7.1999, p. 17. (*) (>) OJL139,2.6.1999, p. 29. (6) OJ L 49,28.2.1996, p. 17. (7) OJL 124, 18.5.1999, p. 8.