May 1999 Volume V, No. 1REGULATORY NEWS A POSITION PAPER ON OCHRATOXIN A IN FOOD has been prepared by the Swedish delegation of the CODEX Committee on Food Additives and Contaminant’s (CCFAC) for the 31st session of CCFAC meeting that was held in The Hague, Netherlands, from March 22-26, 1999. After a thorough examination of toxicological evaluations and intake data on ochratoxin A and evaluation of exposure, the following conclusions and recommendations were announced: 1) Based on all of the toxicological evidence available to date, levels of ochratoxin A need to be as low as technologically feasible, taking into account economic and social factors, 2) A code of practice should be established by CODEX for the reduction of ochratoxin A in cereals, 3) A CODEX maximum limit for ochratoxin A should be established at a level of 5 mg/kg for cereals and cereal products, 4) CODEX should establish sampling plans and methods of analysis for ochratoxin A in cereals. There are no universally accepted sampling plans existing for ochratoxin A in cereal grain today. Standardization of methods for determination of ochratoxin A in cereals and cereal products is ongoing as overseen by the European Committee for Standardization and methods have been evaluated in interlaboratory studies. In order to evaluate the benefits and possible problems which may arise from the adoption of these proposals (particularly for producing countries), governments and international organizations should consider the following points: 1) The consequences for international trade they anticipate if a CODEX Maximum Limit was established for ochratoxin A at the level of 5 mg/kg for cereals and cereal products, 2) Estimates of the possible public health consequences that might arise from the establishment of a maximum limit for ochratoxin A at a level of 5 mg/kg for cereals and cereal products, and 3) Sampling plans and methods of analysis for ochratoxin A. Contact: M. Olsen, National Food Administration, Uppsala, Sweden. Fax: +46-18-10-5848. E-Mail: mool@slv.se. |