(1) Member States, in close cooperation with the food business operators should monitor the Alternaria toxins alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid in food, in particular in processed tomato products, paprika powder, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, tree nuts, dried figs and cereal-based foods for infants and young children. If possible, other Alternaria toxins should also be analysed and the results reported to the European Food Safety Authority.

(2) To ensure that the samples are representative, Member States should follow the relevant sampling procedures laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 of 23 February 2006 (3). For processed tomato products, the sampling procedure should be performed in accordance with the rules set out in Part H (liquid products) or Part I (solid products) of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 401/2006. Where the sampling procedure applied by the food business operator deviates from the procedure set out in Regulation (EC) No 401/2006, it should remain representative for the lot.

(3) For the determination of alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether, the LOQ should not be higher than 2 μg/kg in cereal-based foods for infants and young children and 4 μg/kg in other foods, and for the determination of tenuazonic acid, the LOQ should not be higher than 20 μg/kg in all foods.

(4) Member States, with the active involvement of the food business operators, should carry out investigations to identify the factors resulting in these levels above the indicative levels and on the effects of processing on the level of these Alternaria toxins, provided in Annex to this Recommendation.

(5) Member States and food business operators should provide to EFSA, by 30 June of each year, the data for the previous year for compilation into one database in line with the requirements of EFSA’s Guidance on Standard Sample Description (SSD) for Food and Feed and EFSA’s additional specific reporting requirements (4).