Direct and indirect contamination with ochratoxin A of ripened pork products

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of direct and indirect contamination on ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in different ripened pork products. A total of 24 Large White pigs were fed naturally OTA contaminated diets (4 different contamination levels, from 0.40 to 171 mg kg 1) for 2 weeks. Typical Italian pork products (dry sausage, dry-cured pork neck, dry-cured streaky bacon and dry-cured ham)were prepared using the contaminated tissues and ripened in 3 dry-cured ham manufacturing plants. Plasma, organs, tissues and ripened pork products were analysed for OTA content. As regards the animals fed at a level slightly less than 50 mg kg -1, the guidance value recommended by the Commission of European Communities, the OTA levels in muscle and in the ripened products were close to 1 mg kg -1 (range of the mean values 0.65e1.62 mg kg -1), the guideline value in meat products recommended by the Italian Ministry of Health. Dry sausage and dry-cured pork neck showed significantly higher OTA concentrations than dry-cured ham and dry-cured streaky bacon. OTA was partially degraded during the long ripening time of dry-cured ham. In dry sausage and dry-cured pork neck direct contamination was low and it was not detected in dry-cured streaky bacon; on the contrary, very high OTA levels were detected in several outer dry-cured ham samples (maximum OTA value: 314 mg kg-1). These results confirmed that direct contamination should be mainly monitored in dry-cured ham, whereas indirect contamination may eventually be relevant in other ripened pork products

Mycotoxin levels in maize produced in northern Italy in 2008 as influenced by growing location and FAO class of hybrid

The occurrence of principal mycotoxins in maize produced in northern Italy in 2008 was surveyed. Some easily available information related to each sample, such as hybrid maturity class, maize growth location and mean daily meteorological data were considered in order to explain the observed wide variability in mycotoxin contamination. In addition, a previously developed simple predictive model for aflatoxin B-1 contamination in maize was tested using the 2008 data. 197 samples were collected at harvest and meteorological data (mean daily temperature, daily rainfall) were collected from 40 weather stations located near the sampling regions during the period 1 June to 30 September 2008. The results indicated that aflatoxin contamination is of concern in a restricted geographic region (south-east Po Valley). In this region, about 75.0% of the maize samples showed aflatoxin levels higher than 0.5 mu g/kg. After a slight modification, the predictive model could indicate a possible high contamination risk. Moreover, the study confirmed that maize harvested in northern Italy was contaminated with fumonisins; throughout the northern Italian plain contamination occurred at significant levels. On the other hand, contamination with trichothecenes and zearalenone was generally low. It has been observed that FAO class 300-400 maize hybrids can be more susceptible to aflatoxin contamination and less to Fusarium mycotoxins than later maturing hybrids

Scientific information on mycotoxins and natural plant toxicants.

Undesirable substances such as mycotoxins and natural toxicants can be present in plants and derived products thereof. Depending on the nature and the concentration levels of the compound, these might be of concern for human and/or animal health. Risk assessments on the natural plant toxicant morphine in poppy seeds and the selected mycotoxins: alternaria toxins, moniliformin, diacetoxyscirpenol, sterigmatocystin and phomopsins in food and feed, ergot alkaloids in food and nivalenol in feed have not been carried out at the European level. Therefore it is expected that the European Commission may ask EFSA to assess the risks to human and animal health related to these substances in the near future. To carry out these risk assessments to the highest standards and in an efficient way scientific background information e.g. chemistry, occurrence, toxicokinetics and toxicity on these selected mycotoxins and plant toxicant are needed. The project CFP/EFSA/CONTAM/2008/01 \u201cScientific information on mycotoxins and natural plant toxicants\u201d reports this information in the present report. The report presents information regarding a plant toxicant, morphine, in poppy seeds, and some mycotoxins, in particular Alternaria toxins in food and feed, Ergot alkaloids in food, moniliformin in food and feed, nivalenol in feed, diacetoxyscirpenol in food and feed, sterigmatocystin in food and feed and phomopsins in food and feed. After a short introduction, fungi involved in the production of each specific mycotoxin are described. Physico-chemical characteristics, biosynthesis and chemical analisis are then discussed for all toxins. Occurrence data are presented, taking into account all products in which the mycotoxins have been reported. Mitigation, intended as all actions that can be taken in the pre- and post-harvest periods to reduce the contamination of the final products are discussed. Pharmacokinetic aspects (absorption, distribution and excretion, metabolism and carry-over), as well as toxicity (acute and chronic), are also discussed, based on available information in animals and in humans. This report represents the state-of-the-art knowledge on the toxic compounds included, and provides information useful to the scientific community to face the risks and challenges of mycotoxins and plant natural toxicants. 3 - 467 The present document has been produced and adopted by the bodies identified above as author(s). In accordance with Article 36 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, this task has been carried out exclusively by the author(s) in the context of a grant agreement between the European Food Safety Authority and the author(s). The present document is published complying with the transparency principle to which the European Food Safety Authority is subject. It may not be considered as an output adopted by EFSA. EFSA reserves its rights, view and position as regards the issues addressed and the conclusions reached in the present document, without prejudice to the rights of the authors. As a general conclusion it can be underlined that for all compounds considered there is a common lack of knowledge which can be summarised as follows: \u2022 Detailed knowledge on fungi involved and their interaction with host crops \u2022 Validated analytical methods and reference materials \u2022 Detailed surveys in different countries and different years \u2022 Specific sampling methods \u2022 Detailed and updated knowledge on pharmacokinetics and toxicit

Modelling, predicting and mapping the emergence of aflatoxins in cereals in the EU due to climate change

Aflatoxin (AF) contamination in maize is of worldwide importance. Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus are the principal fungi responsible for AF production. Based on the current literature, AFs are not considered a problem in wheat and rice at harvest and no data were found on aspergilliwheat/ rice interactions in the field. Data on the effects influencing the development of A. flavus and A. parasiticus on maize and maize kernel at harvest were collected; however data on A. parasiticus and AFB2-G1-G2 were not sufficient for further use in predictive modelling. Thus, a model was developed to predict the risk of AFB1 contamination, due to A. flavus, in maize at harvest and further adapted to wheat and rice as host crops. The Joint Research Centre of the EC provided a database with mean daily temperatures during emergence, flowering and harvesting of maize, wheat and rice. Meteorological data (temperature, relative humidity and rain) obtained from the LARS weather generator, were used as input for the modelling of crop phenology and A. flavus behaviour. The output was designed at a 50 x 50 km scale over the European territory and generated over 100 years, in three different climate scenarios (present and A2 and B2 storylines, or +2°C and +5°C scenarios, proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Predictions showed a reduction in season length and an advance in flowering and harvest dates leading to an enlargement of the crop growing areas towards north EU, mainly for maize and rice, because earlier ripening could occur in these areas. The risk of A. flavus contamination was expected to increase in maize, both in the +2°C and +5°C scenarios, to be very low in wheat and to be absent in rice. Results were discussed and recommendations were made on data collection and prevention measures on AF risks