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29.04.2020 - Foods
German Code of Practice on Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids published
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are secondary plant compounds. In animal studies, certain PAs, the 1,2-unsaturated PAs, show hepatotoxic as well as carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. The 1,2-unsaturated PAs are undesirable in food and feed due to their health-damaging potential.
Foods affected by PA contamination include honey, herbal teas and teas, plant-based dietary supplements, culinary herbs and spices, but also, for example, arugula and lettuce mixes.
In 2015, the German Food Association, together with associations from the food, feed, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical sectors, set up a "Round Table on Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids." This group regularly exchanges information on this topic and was also involved in commenting on the Code of Practice of the Codex Alimentarius “for weed control to prevent and reduce pyrrolizidine alkaloid contamination in food and feed” (CAC/RCP 74-2014).
In addition to the Codex Alimentarius Code of Practice, an additional cross-industry Code of Practice for the German agricultural and food industry has now been developed. The "Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Contamination of Foods with Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids" contains not only general measures to minimize the content of PAs in foods but also industry- and product-specific measures. It serves as a practical tool intended to contribute to preventive consumer health protection and the health protection of farm animals.
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Sources:
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) - https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/frequently_asked_questions_on_pyrrolizidine_alkaloids_in_food-187302.html,
German Food Association e. V. – Link to “Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Contamination of Foods with Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids” https://www.lebensmittelverband.de/en/food/safety/unwanted-substances-contaminants/pyrrolizidine-alkaloids-pa