Informe del Comité Científico de la Agencia Española de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (AESAN) en relación a la seguridad del uso de dos soluciones acuosas de peróxido de hidrógeno, ácido acético y ácido peracético como coadyuvantes tecnológicos para la desinfección bacteriana del agua de lavado de ciruelas, cerezas y peras

Abstract

The company AgroFresh Fruit Protection S.A. has requested a safety assessment of the use of two aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and peracetic acid as a technological aid. 1-hydroxyethylene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) is included as stabilizer. The proposed use is the bacterial disinfection of the washing water of plums, cherries and pears in the processing plants. These aqueous solutions have the same composition and manufacturer as those previously evaluated by the Scientific Committee for the bacterial disinfection of washing water of citrus and peppers, and of apples and peaches. With regard to the doses of use, it is indicated that, given the reactivity of the active substances with the organic matter from the dirt on fruits, an initial addition of 0.1 % of FreshStart Disinfect 25-15 or 0.3 % of FreshStart Disinfect 25-5 will be required. In both cases, the final concentration of peracetic acid in the washing solution shall be 150 ppm. After this initial dosing of 150 ppm peracetic acid, maintenance dosages (0.033 % FreshStart Disinfect 25-15 or 0.1 % FreshStart Disinfect 25-5) will be applied to maintain a concentration of 50 ppm peracetic acid in the washing solution. Considering the most unfavourable scenario of presence of residues in plums, cherries and pears and their consumption, an Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of possible residues has been carried out, as well as an assessment of the risk they may pose to the consumer by calculating the Margin of Safety (MOS). The Scientific Committee concludes that, on the basis of the information provided by the applicant, and taking into account the proposed composition and conditions of use, the use of aqueous solutions as processing aids does not pose health risk to consumers.