Topic 2 EU Framework

Module 5 Mycotoxins Unit 5 Regulatory limits for mycotoxins Topic 2 EU Framework

Source: https://www.biomin.net/science-hub/why-eu-registration-matters-for-mycotoxin-deactivation/

Mycotoxins are of concern for human and animal health and is an important issue for national but also international trading. Regulatory bodies need to cooperate set limits for mycotoxin content in foods and feeds and harmonize standards throughout the world, taking into consideration consumers’ safety and social and economic impact of established.

EFSA regularly assess the risk from mycotoxins and advise on controls to reduce consumer exposure. EFSA has an Experts Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) aiming to provide scientific advice on contaminants in the food chain and undesirable substances such as natural toxicants, mycotoxins and residues of unauthorized substances.

CONTAM Panel Members are scientists from across Europe with expertise in chemistry; exposure assessment; human and veterinary toxicology (in risk assessment of chemicals); toxicological tests in experimental animals; epidemiology; statistics and animal nutrition (animal exposure assessment)

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The Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 set limits for mycotoxins maximum levels in foodstuff that are very low due to their severe toxicity.

Some example of current EU limits for mycotoxins are as follows:

the maximum levels for aflatoxins range from 0.025 to 15 µg/kg (a µg is one billionth of a kilogram) in various nuts, grains, dried figs, spices, milk and infant formulae;