Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety proposes monitoring of Alternaria toxins
Jul 12, 2019 - Foods
Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety proposes monitoring of Alternaria toxins
On the 27th of June 2019, the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG Sante) of the EU Commission proposed a plan for monitoring Alternaria toxins in food.
Alternaria toxins are mold toxins (mycotoxins) which, according to the EFSA, pose health risks. Consequently, the EFSA conducted an assessment in 2016 of the exposure of the European population to Alternaria toxins. It was found that the long-term intake of Alternaria toxins Alternariol (AOH), Alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), and tenuazonic acid (TeA) is above the toxicologically relevant threshold.
Therefore, the Commission's recommendation now calls for monitoring. For this purpose, guideline values were established for different food groups:
|
Food/Toxin |
Alternariol (AOH) |
Alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) [µg/kg] |
Tenuazonic acid (TeA) [µg/kg] |
|
Processed tomato products |
10 |
5 |
500 |
|
Paprika powder |
- |
- |
10000 |
|
Sesame seeds |
30 |
30 |
100 |
|
Sunflower seeds |
30 |
30 |
1000 |
|
Sunflower oil |
10 |
10 |
100 |
|
Tree nuts |
- |
- |
100 |
|
Dried figs |
- |
- |
1000 |
|
Cereal-based foods for infants and toddlers |
5 |
5 |
500 |
|
Other foods |
10 |
10 |
100 |
In our Tentamus laboratories, we routinely check for Alternaria toxins, as well as other mycotoxins such as aflatoxins and ochratoxin A.
Our customer advisors are happy to assist you with any questions.
Source: www.lebensmittelverband.de