Mycotoxins in focus

Mycotoxins

Autumn time is harvest time, which is why the focus is set on the special requirements for residues in the baby food sector, namely those of mycotoxins. In recent years it has been shown that certain Fusarium toxins (HT-2 / T2) can be demised not only through grain, but also through fruit. In its Recommendation 2013/165 / EU, the EU Commission pointed out the presence of the toxins T-2 and HT-2 in cereals and cereal products and formulated corresponding guide values. In the meantime, maximum levels are being discussed, but again without including the more recent findings with regard to fruit. GALAB offers the corresponding analysis here.

This also applies to Alternaria toxins, which can be found in various foods such as cereals, tomatoes, and potatoes. The best-known representatives of these are alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altertoxins (ALT), tentoxin (TEN) and tenuazonic acid (TeA). Various harmful properties have been demonstrated in laboratory studies (carcinogenic, teratogenic, foetotoxic, cytotoxic). An exposure assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found that the toxicologically relevant threshold value for AOH, AME and TeA was exceeded. For this reason, the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) presented a draft to the EU-wide monitoring of AOH, AME and TeA in June 2019, which also contains “indicative levels” which, if exceeded, initiate a cause research. Limit values for Alternaria toxins in food do not yet exist. GALAB offers an analysis of AOH, AME, ALT, TEN and TeA using LC-MS / MS in the various food groups, with limits of quantification below the “indicative values” proposed by EFSA.