European Parliament 19 November 2002, WRITTEN QUESTION E-3273/02 by Bernd Lange (PSE)and Christa Randzio-Plath (PSE) to the Commission. Obligation to submit a report on on-board measurement systems pursuant to Directive 98/69/EC.

3. Hydrocarbons are present at low levels in many foods but their origin is often uncertain. In some cases, the hydrocarbons are of a natural origin whilst in other cases they arise from contamination of the food by mineral hydrocarbons present in the environment, including pastures and agricultural fields.