Evaluation of the results of the EU-wide monitoring for T-2 and HT-2 toxins in food and feed
Oct 18, 2017 - Analytics
Evaluation of the results of the EU-wide monitoring for T-2 and HT-2 toxins in food and feed
The mycotoxins T-2 and HT-2 toxin belong to the group of trichothecenes and are produced by Fusarium fungi. These toxins are found in cereals and cereal products, with occurrence and concentrations varying significantly by region. Due to their highly cytotoxic and immunosuppressive effects, T-2 and HT-2 toxin pose a health risk to humans and animals.
In mid-August 2017, the EFSA published the evaluation of monitoring results for T-2 and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal products in the form of an exposure assessment for the population in the EU and for livestock, pets, and hobby animals: "Human and animal dietary exposure to T-2 and HT-2 toxin" (EFSA Journal 2017; 15 (8): 4972; Attachment).
A total of 46,354 samples were collected from the period 2001 to 2016. The data comes from the period 2011 to 2016 from a total of 20 EU countries, with 50% of the samples originating from Germany alone. In many samples, the levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxin were below the detection limit. For food samples, the proportion of T-2 was 90%, and for HT-2 toxin, 87%. Besides cereals and cereal products, other products were also examined, such as alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer).
As expected, the highest levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxin were found in oats and oat products. Positive findings of T-2 and HT-2 toxin were also found in other food and feed categories beyond "cereals and cereal products." Regarding the long-term (chronological) risk, the highest average exposure was found for the population groups of "toddlers" and "infants." Toddlers consistently have the highest consumption amounts relative to their body weight, while infants have a limited selection of possible foods and beverages, resulting in relatively high consumption amounts for a single product.
The foods that contribute most to chronological exposure are "cereals and cereal products." According to the EFSA report, cereal flakes contribute up to 84% of exposure for infants (children < 1 year), and fine baked goods contribute up to 68% of exposure for the elderly (> 75 years).
In January 2017, the EFSA published a scientific opinion titled: "Appropriateness to set a group health-based guidance value for T-2 and HT-2 toxin and its modified forms" (EFSA Journal 2017; 15(1): 4655), which established new toxicological reference values for T-2 and HT-2 toxin and their modified forms ("masked mycotoxins"). On the one hand, the TDI was reduced from the previous 0.10 (100 ng per kg body weight per day) to 0.02 µg per kg body weight (20 ng per kg body weight per day) for T-2 and HT-2 toxin. In addition, a new acute reference dose (ARfD) of 0.3 µg per kg body weight (300 ng per kg body weight per day) for T-2 and HT-2 toxin was established.
In our laboratory group, we routinely perform tests for T-2 and HT-2 toxin. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our customer service representatives.
Source: BLL Circular BLL-525-2017; www.bll.de