European Commission proposals for permanent increases to the existing limits for spinach and lettuce laid down in Commission Regulation 1881/2006 emerged at the end of last year, as temporary derogations permitting the UK and some other Northern European countries to exceed these maximum limits (for consumption on their own respective territories) came to an end. The increased limits for nitrate levels are unlikely to come into force until later in 2009, however. The proposed changes are likely to include:
• relaxing (increasing) the maximum nitrate limits for fresh spinach to 3,500 mg NO3/Kg (to apply all year, no seasonal differences)
• relaxing (increasing) the existing nitrate limits for fresh lettuce(non-iceberg) to 5,000 mg NO3/Kg (winter protected), 4000 mg NO3/Kg (summer protected) & 3,000 mg NO3/Kg (summer outdoor), with no changes to current level for winter outdoor
• Introducing a maximum nitrate limit for rocket (rucola; Eruca sativa) of 5,000 mg NO3/Kg
• No changes to current nitrate limits for preserved, deep-frozen or frozen spinach or iceberg lettuce
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