# 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 I.1: Method of sampling

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

The aggregate sample shall be at least 1 kg, except where it is not possible e.g. when sampling a single package.
The minimum number of incremental samples to be taken from the lot shall be as given in Table 1. In the case of liquid products the lot shall be thoroughly mixed insofar as possible by either manual or mechanical means immediately prior to sampling. In this case, a homogeneous distribution of 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 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 1 kg. 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
Weight of lot (in kg)
Minimum number of incremental samples to be taken
Aggregate sample weight(kg)
< 50
3
1
50 to 500
5
1
> 500
10
1
If the lot consists of individual packages, then the number of packages, which shall be taken to form the aggregate sample, is given in Table 2.
Table 2
Number of packages (incremental samples) which shall be taken to form the aggregate sample if the lot consists of individual packages
Number of packages or units in the lot
Number of packages or units to be taken
Aggregate sample weight(kg)
1 to 25
1 package or unit
1
26 to 100
about 5 %, at least two packages or units
1
> 100
about 5 %, at maximum 10 packages or units
1

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