2005, Volume IX, Issue 2REGULATORY NEWSOn June 6, 2005, the Commission of European Communities issued a directive setting out sampling and analysis procedures for official control of the Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA),T-2, and HT-2 (see Official Journal of the European Union, L 143 6.6.2005,pp. 18–26). Noting that natural contaminants such as mycotoxins tend to occur in unevenly distributed pockets in bulk commodities, the directive stipulates that authorized personnel collect incremental samples from multiple areas of each lot or sublot. The incremental samples must then be combined and finely ground to obtain a thoroughly homogenized sample for analysis. In addition to meeting sampling requirements, Member States must also ensure that the method of analysis used to determine the toxin levels conforms to the performance criteria specified in the directive. Member States are required to comply with the terms of the directive by July 1, 2006. The Commission’s newly established maximum levels for the Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) in food will also go into effect on that date (see Official Journal of the European Union, L 143 6.6.2005,pp. 3–5). The legal limits for DON will be as follows: 1,250 μg/kg in unprocessed cereals other than durum wheat, oats, and corn; 1,750 μg/kg for unprocessed durum wheat and oats; 750 μg/kg for cereal flour including corn flour, grits, and meal; 500 μg/kg for bread, pastries, biscuits, cereal snacks, and breakfast cereals; 750 μg/kg for pasta; and 200 μg/kg in processed cereal-based foods for infants and baby food. Levels for ZEA include 100 μg/kg for unprocessed cereals other than corn; 75 μg/kg for cereal flours except corn; 50 μg/kg for bread, baked goods, and breakfast cereals; and 20 μg/kg for baby food and other processed cereal-based foods for infants. Maximum limits on DON, ZEA, and fumonisins in corn will not be implemented until July 1, 2007. Concerns about the new limits were raised by the Canadian grain industry, as well as by the United States government,where no mandatory limits on Fusarium toxins currently exist. While the United States has set an advisory level of 1 mg/kg for DON in finished wheat products and guidance levels for fumonisins in various corn products, U.S. officials questioned whether current scientific evidence supports mandatory limits. More information on the new regulations can be found on the following website: http://europa.eu.int |