Food Monitoring 2011 - In BAV Newsletter 01/2013

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Jun 14, 2017 - Monitoring

Food Monitoring 2011 - In BAV Newsletter 01/2013

Food monitoring is a systematic examination program conducted jointly by the federal and state governments to test for "substances not desirable for health" and is carried out as an independent program in official food control alongside routine tasks.

Pesticide residues: In plant-based foods, the proportion of maximum content exceedances was in the range of 0.5-3%; except for spinach with 5%. Fewer exceedances were found in domestic products than in goods from other EU member states or third countries.

Mycotoxins (mold toxins): Significantly higher Ochratoxin A levels were found in peanuts and ground black pepper compared to the previous year. The maximum values were 49.9 µg/kg for peanuts and 25.1 µg/kg for pepper, indicating peak levels of contamination. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was examined in "baked goods with a high grain content" (rusks, extruded grain products, crackers, and pretzel pastries). No notable levels were detected. The permissible maximum level of 500 µg/kg was exceeded in only one sample.

Heavy metals: Among the examined animal food products, lead in rabbit meat was notable for increased levels. Higher lead levels were found in peanuts compared to the previous year. The report recommends continued monitoring, especially of oilseeds (e.g., peanuts, soybeans, and sesame). Tuna showed the highest mercury contamination. In one sample, the permissible maximum level of 1 mg/kg was exceeded. Even the average of all samples was already relatively high at 0.3 mg/kg.