Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) on the safe use of various aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and peracetic acid as processing aids for the bacterial disinfection of citrus fruit and pepper washing water at processing plants

The company Peroxychem Spain S.L.U. has requested an assessment of the safe use of three aqueous solutions of hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and peracetic acid as processing aids. 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) is included as a stabiliser.
The use proposed for the processing aids is the bacterial disinfection of water used for washing citrus fruit and peppers on their arrival at the processing plants. As the water used for washing is disinfected, it can be used in consecutive washes of the fruit and vegetables through a recirculation system, maintaining the washing water in acceptable condition and reducing water consumption. The quantity used depends on the solution used, and is less than 0.1 % in the three solutions, whether washing citrus fruits or peppers.
In 2013 and 2016, the Scientific Committee conducted assessments of similar products. Considering the worst-case scenario for the presence of residue and the consumption of citrus fruit and peppers in Europe, a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) has been estimated for the possible residue together with a consumer risk assessment, by calculating the Margin of Safety (MOS).
The Scientific Committee concludes that, based on the information provided by the applicant and considering the composition and conditions of use proposed, the use of the solutions does not involve a health risk for the consumer.