EU PAH4 Regulations for Yerba Mate

The EU has specific regulations concerning Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in food, including dried herbs and spices which would include yerba mate. The regulation focuses on a group of four PAHs, known as PAH4, which are considered key indicators of carcinogenic risk. These four are: 

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) 

Benz(a)anthracene (BaA)  

Benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF)

Chrysene (Chr)

• Here's a summary of the key aspects of the EU regulations for PAH4 concerning dried herbs and spices like yerba mate:

• Maximum Levels: The EU Regulation (specifically Regulation (EU) 2023/915, which consolidates previous regulations) sets maximum levels for PAH4 in certain food categories. For dried herbs and spices, including plant powders for the preparation of beverages (which would include yerba mate), the maximum level for PAH4 is 50 µg/kg (micrograms per kilogram) or 50 parts per billion.
• Benzo(a)pyrene Limit: Within the PAH4 group, there is also a separate maximum level for Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), which is set at 10 µg/kg in dried herbs and spices. This reflects the fact that BaP has historically been considered a key marker for carcinogenic PAHs.
  Scope: These regulations apply to yerba mate that is intended for direct human consumption or for use as an ingredient in food products within the European Union.
• Monitoring and Testing: EU regulations mandate that testing for PAHs, including PAH4, must be performed on food products considered to be at higher risk of contamination by independent laboratories. Dried herbs and spices are generally considered a category where PAH contamination can occur due to drying processes that may involve combustion fumes coming into contact with the plant material.
• Enforcement: EU member states are responsible for the monitoring and enforcement of these maximum levels to ensure that food products sold within the EU market are safe for consumption. Products exceeding these limits may be subject to withdrawal from the market.
• Rationale: The establishment of these limits is based on the scientific assessment of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which has concluded that many PAHs are genotoxic and carcinogenic, meaning they can damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer. Monitoring PAH4 is considered a better indicator of the presence of carcinogenic PAHs than Benzo(a)pyrene alone.

Here are all the product we have with compliant analysis reports.