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Legislation

Mycotoxins in Food NRL

The Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2010 make enforcement measures provision for European Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs and Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 prescribes the methods to be used for sampling and analysis for enforcement purposes. There are similar Regulations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Copies of the EU Regulations, and those of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are available from the Food Standards Agency.

• European Legislation

Section 2 of the Annex of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (as amended by (EC) No 1126/2007) stipulates maximum levels of certain mycotoxins in foodstuffs. Mycotoxins specifically covered are: aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2, and M1), ochratoxin A, patulin, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins B1 and B2.

Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 implementing Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 as regards the increased level of official controls on imports of certain feed and food of non-animal origin was published in July 2009. This EC Regulation will be implemented in England by The Official Feed and Food Control (England) Regulations 2009, which are expected to come into force on 25 January 2010 and, revoke the 2007 Regulations. It stipulates the frequency of checks that are required for some products at the designated point of entry.

• Aflatoxins

Regulations (EC) No 1881/2006 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 178/2010 of 2 March 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 set maximum limits and lay down methods for sampling and analysis respectively.

Regulation (EU) No. 165/2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs as regards aflatoxins.

Regulation (EU) No. 178/2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 as regards groundnuts (peanuts), other oilseeds, tree nuts, apricot kernels, liquorice and vegetable oil.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 274/2012 of 27 March 2012 amends Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1152/2009 imposing special conditions governing the import of certain foodstuffs from certain third countries due to contamination risk by aflatoxins. More information from the FSA surrounding this amendment is available and includes specified products, designated points of import (DPIs) and guidance.

Commission Regulation (EU) No. 1058/2012 of 12 November 2012 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels for aflatoxins in dried figs.

A Guidance Document for Competent Authorities for the Control of Compliance with EU Regulations for aflatoxins is available at: EUROPA > European Commission > DG Health and Consumers > Overview > Food and Feed Safety > Chemical Safety > Contaminants > Aflatoxins

Guidance document for competent authorities for the control of compliance with EU legislation on aflatoxins

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 91/2013 of 31st January 2013 laying down specific conditions applicable to the import of groundnuts from Ghana and India, okra and curry leaves from India and watermelon seeds from Nigeria and amending Regulations (EC) No 669/2009 and (EC) No 1152/2009 came into force on 18th February 2013.

• Ochratoxin A

Regulations (EC) No 1881/2006 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 178/2010 amending (EC) No 401/2006 lay down limits for certain foods and methods for sampling and analysis. Regulation 1881/2006 has been amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No. 594/2012 - it gives a longer date for Capsicum sp. to comply with the lower ochratoxin A limit, and also introduces a limit for wheat gluten not to be sold directly to the public.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 105/2010 of 5 February 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 shall apply from 1 July 2010. It sets maximum limits for ochratoxin A in certain spices and liquorice.

Commission Regulation (EU) No. 594/2012 of 5 July 2012amending Regulation (EC) 1881/2006 as regards the maximum levels of the contaminants ochratoxin A, non dioxin-like PCBs and melamine in foodstuffs.

EFSA Statement on recent scientific information on the toxicity of Ochratoxin A
Published: 4 June 2010

The results of a Scientific Co-operation Task to assess dietary intake for Ochratoxin A published in 2002 are given in Task 3.2.7.: EUROPA > European Commission > DG Health and Consumers > Overview > Food and Feed Safety > Chemical Safety > Contaminants > Ochratoxin A "Assessment of dietary intake of ochratoxin A by the population of EU Member States"

• Patulin

Regulations (EC) No 1881/2006 and Commission Regulation (EU) No 178/2010 amending (EC) No 401/2006 set maximum limits and lay down methods for sampling and analysis respectively.

Information on the prevention and reduction of patulin contamination in apple juice and apple juice ingredients in other beverages is given in Commission Recommendation 2003/598/EC ((OJ L 203, 12.8.2003, p. 34): EUROPA > European Commission > DG Health and Consumers > Overview > Food and Feed Safety > Chemical Safety > Contaminants > Patulin.

An assessment of the dietary intake of patulin by the population of EU Member States was carried out as a Scientific Co-operation Task and was published in 2002: Assessment of dietary intake of Patulin by the population of EU Member States. EUROPA > European Commission > DG Health and Consumers > Overview > Food and Feed Safety > Chemical Safety > Contaminants > Patulin

• Fusarium toxins

Maximum limits for some Fusarium toxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins B1 & B2) are laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006. Limits for T2 & HT2 toxin are not set, but are currently under discussion. Sampling and methods of analysis are laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) No 178/2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 401/2006.

The maximum levels in maize and maize products, as well as the date of application of these levels were amended by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1126/2007 adopted in September 2007. This takes account of new information obtained since 2005.

Commission Recommendation 2006/583/EC of 17 August 2006 provides advice and recommendations on the prevention and reduction of Fusarium toxins in cereals and cereal products.(EUROPA > European Commission > DG Health and Consumers > Overview > Food and Feed Safety > Chemical Safety > Contaminants > Fusarium -Toxins)

The results of a Scientific Co-operation Task to assess occurrence and dietary intake for Fusarium toxins were published in 2003: Collection of occurrence data of Fusarium toxins in food and assessment of dietary intake by the population of EU Member States.

• EU-RL Mycotoxins

Regulation (EC) No. 776/2006 nominates the Joint Research Centre as the European Union Reference Laboratory (EU-RL) for Mycotoxins and it is established at the JRC Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM).

• Food Standards Agency

Mycotoxins guidance and advice for industry and enforcement bodies. This includes Codes of Good Agricultural Practice and Good Storage Practice.

The Food Standards Agency has produced a document to provide information on the legislation for mycotoxins and advice on official methods for sampling for certain mycotoxins: Mycotoxins in foodstuffs sampling advice.

• Directorate General Health and Consumers

The EUROPA European Commission, DG Health and Consumers ensures that food and consumer goods sold in the EU are safe, that the EU's internal market works for the benefit of consumers and that Europe helps protect and improve its citizens' health. Work is in collaboration with other EU Institutions, national governments and agencies, consumer organisations, health interest groups, business groups, scientists, researchers and experts.

DG Health & Consumers, Food & Feed Safety website has information about mycotoxins covering: aflatoxins, patulin, ochratoxin A and Fusarium toxins.

• DG Health and Consumers: Food Contaminants - Patulin
• DG Health and Consumers: Food Contaminants - Ochratoxin A
• DG Health and Consumers: Food Contaminants - Fusarium-Toxins
• DG Health and Consumers: Food Contaminants - Aflatoxins
• Archive

Regulation (EC) No. 1152/2009 imposing special conditions governing the import of certain foodstuffs from certain third countries due to contamination risk by aflatoxins and repealing Decision 2006/504/EC.

FSA Food Contaminants (May 2011) - Update providing information on issues concerning chemical contaminants in food.

Managing mycotoxin risk: UK codes of Good Agricultural Practice and Good Storage Practice.

Guidance on The Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2009 has been produced by the Food Standards Agency to provide informal guidance and a general introduction to The Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2009.

New Regulations have recently been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 165/2010 of 26 February 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs as regards aflatoxins. This increases the levels from 4 µg/kg to 10 µg/kg for some tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, apricot kernels, hazelnuts and brazil nuts) for direct human consumption to align with the levels proposed by the Codex Alimentarius and to take into account recent scientific advice. The Regulation also sets limits for oilseeds and rice. This Regulation came into force on 9 March 2010.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 178/2010 of 2 March 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 as regards groundnuts, other oilseeds, tree nuts, apricot kernels, liquorice and vegetable oil. This amends certain provisions for sampling aflatoxins in certain foodstuffs to take into account new sampling plans established by Codex for some foodstuffs. In addition sampling rules are introduced for vegetable oils, ochratoxin A in spices, liquorice root and liquorice extract. This Regulation came into force on 13 March 2010.

Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1152/2009 revokes and replaces Commission Decision (EC) No. 2006/504 and provides for enhanced controls on certain commodities from specific third countries in regards to aflatoxin contamination. It entered into force on the 1 January 2010.
Archived 12 March 2012

Scientific Opinions: Scientific Committee on Food (SCF)

In May 2003 the five Scientific Committees providing the Commission with scientific advice on food safety were transferred to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) published a number of Scientific Opinions about mycotoxins.

• Zearalenone

Archived 07/07/11

Last Updated: 16/04/13 16:32

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