Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) in relation to the use of an antimicrobial aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and peroxyacetic acid (23/17/15) as a processing aid on citrus fruits and tomatoes, and their wash water

<p>The company Productos Citrosol S.A. has requested a safety assessment on the use of an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide (23 %), acetic acid (17 %) and peracetic acid (15 %) as a processing aid. As stabilisers, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) (<0.2 %) and dipicolinic acid (DPA) (≤0.01 %) are included in the solution. The proposed use of the processing aid is for the bacterial disinfection of citrus fruits and tomatoes on their arrival at processing plants, and the bacterial disinfection of the water used to wash them. By disinfecting the washing water, it can be employed for the consecutive washing of fruits and vegetables through a recirculation system, keeping the water in suitable conditions and reducing water consumption. The requested dose of use is 0.4 % for citrus fruits and 0.2 % for tomatoes. In 2013, the Scientific Committee assessed a product of similar composition. On this occasion, the applicant analysed the residues of dipicolinic acid in treatment liquids and in citrus fruits and tomatoes following treatment. From that data, taking into account the least favourable scenario and the consumption of citrus fruits and tomatoes in Europe, estimated daily intake (EDI) was established for the consumption of citrus fruit and tomatoes treated with the processing aid; the risk to the consumer was also assessed using a “margin of safety” (MOS) calculation. The Scientific Committee concludes that, based on the information provided by the applicant and taking into account the proposed composition and conditions of use, the use of the processing aid does not involve a health risk for the consumer.