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11.05.2020 - Foods

BVL: Spices contaminated with mycotoxins, heavy metals, and pesticides

The BVL (Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety) compared and evaluated data from the monitoring of spices from the years 2017 to 2019, particularly chili, pepper, and paprika powder.

In recent years, samples of spices have repeatedly exceeded the legal maximum levels for mycotoxins, heavy metals, and pesticide residues.

For mold toxins (mycotoxins) such as aflatoxins or ochratoxin A, there were frequent alerts in the rapid alert system in 2018/2019, particularly with paprika and chili powder, especially from spices imported from third countries.

Regarding heavy metals, paprika powder showed higher levels of lead, copper, chromium, and aluminum in 2018, while in 2017, high levels of lead, aluminum, nickel, chromium, and thallium were found in black pepper.

For pesticides, numerous paprika and chili spices in 2017 exceeded the maximum residue levels and contained multiple residues, whereas the numbers were significantly lower in 2018.

Since the intake through spices is comparatively low, there is generally no immediate health risk to consumers.

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) is currently updating the health assessments of mold toxins and heavy metals in spices to minimize consumer exposure. In the course of this, new maximum levels for the mold toxins aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, as well as binding maximum levels for heavy metals in spices, are to be introduced in the EU.

In our Tentamus laboratories, we regularly conduct tests for mycotoxins, heavy metals, and pesticides. We provide you with fast and reliable results.
Our customer service representatives are available for any questions you may have.

Source:
Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) - https://www.bvl.bund.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/01_lebensmittel/2020/2020_05_06_PI_Gewuerze.html