# Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 of 23 February 2006 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of the levels of mycotoxins in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance), Division H.1: Method of sampling

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

The aggregate sample shall be at least one litre except where it is not possible e.g. when the sample consists of one bottle.
The minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot shall be as given in Table 1. The number of incremental samples determined is function of the usual form in which the products concerned are commercialised. In the case of bulk liquid products the lot shall be thoroughly mixed insofar as possible and insofar it does not affect the quality of the product, by either manual or mechanical means immediately prior to sampling. In this case, a homogeneous distribution of ochratoxin A and patulin can be assumed within a given lot. It is therefore sufficient to take three incremental samples from a lot to form the aggregate sample.
The incremental samples, which might frequently be a bottle or a package, shall be of similar weight. The weight of an incremental sample shall be at least 100 grams, resulting in an aggregate sample of at least about 1 litre. Departure from this method shall be recorded in the record provided for under part A.3.8 of Annex I.
Table 1
Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot
Form of commercialisation
Volume of lot (in litres)
Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken
Minimum volume of the aggregate sample (in litres)
Bulk (fruit juice, spirit drinks, cider, wine)
—
3
1
Bottles/packages (fruit juice, spirit drinks, cider)
≤ 50
3
1
Bottles/packages (fruit juice, spirit drinks, cider)
50 to 500
5
1
Bottles/packages (fruit juice, spirit drinks, cider)
> 500
10
1
Bottles/packages wine
≤ 50
1
1
Bottles/packages wine
50 to 500
2
1
Bottles/packages wine
> 500
3
1

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2006/401/annex/I/division/H/division/H.1 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2006-401/annex-I/division-H/division-H.1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.