Report on the 2011 Proficiency Test of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Mycotoxins, for the Network of National Reference Laboratories: Determination of aflatoxin B1 in baby food, maize powder, animal feed and test solution

This report presents the results of a proficiency test of the EU-RL for Mycotoxins which focused on the determination of aflatoxin B1 in food and feed samples. Sixty nine participants from 28 countries registered for the exercise. Sixty-one sets of results were reported for the solution, 58 for the baby food, 67 for the maize powder and 62 for the animal feed. One laboratory did not report any results. In total about 90% of the attributed z scores were below an absolute value of two, which indicated that most of the participants performed satisfactory or better.JRC.D.5-Food Safety and Qualit

Report on the validation of a method for determination of Ochratoxin A in Capsicum spp. (paprika and chilli)

A method validation study was conducted according to the IUPAC harmonised protocol for the determination of ochratoxin A in Capsicum spp. (paprika and chilli). The method is based on the extraction of the samples with an aqueous methanol solution, followed by immunoaffinity cleanup. The determination is carried out by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a fluorescence detector. The study involved 21 participants representing a cross section of research, private and official control laboratories from 14 EU Member States and Singapore. Mean recoveries reported ranged from 83.7 to 87.5. The relative standard deviation for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 1.7 to 14.3 %. The relative standard deviation for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 9.1 to 27.5 %, reflecting HorRat values from 0.4 to 1.3 according to the Horwitz function modified by Thompson. A correction for recovery with the data generated by fortification experiments further improved the reproducibility performance of the method. The method showed acceptable within-laboratory and between-laboratory precision for each matrix, as required by current European legislation.JRC.D.5-Standards for Food Bioscienc

Report on the 2010 Proficiency Test of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Mycotoxins, for the Network of National Reference Laboratories - Determination of Ochratoxin A in Cereals, Green Coffee, Paprika and Test Solution

The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), a Directorate-General of the European Commission, operates the European Union Reference Laboratory (EU-RL) for Mycotoxins. One of its core tasks is to organise interlaboratory comparisons (ILCs) among appointed National Reference Laboratories (NRLs). This report presents the results of a ILC of the EU-RL for Mycotoxins which focused on the determination of ochratoxin A in food and feed samples. The test materials were naturally contaminated cereals, green coffee and paprika samples and an ampouled ochratoxin A solution. The materials were labelled at IRMM and dispatched to the participants in May 2010. Each participant received two ampoules of solution and seven sachets containing approximately 30 g of test material each. Thirty seven participants from 32 countries registered for the exercise. Thirty-six sets of results were reported for the solution, 37 for the cereals, 35 for the green coffee and 35 for the paprika. The assigned values were 13.2 µg/mL for the test solution, 191 µg/kg for the cereals, 8.0 µg/kg for the green coffee and 13.0 µg/kg for the paprika. The uncertainties of the respective assigned values were 0.9 µg/mL, 9 µg/kg, 0.6 µg/kg and 0.9 µg/kg. Participants were invited to report the uncertainty of their measurements. This was done by the majority of laboratories. Laboratory results were rated with z-scores and zeta-scores in accordance with ISO 13528 and of the International Harmonized Protocol for the Proficiency Testing of Analytical Chemistry Laboratories. In total about 90% of the attributed z scores were below an absolute value of two, which indicated that most of the participants performed satisfactory or better than minimal performance criteria required.JRC.DG.D.6-Food Safety and Qualit

Determination of ochratoxin A in licorice and licorice extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection: Collaborative study

A collaborative study was conducted to validate an analytical method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in licorice (root powder) and licorice extracts (paste and powder). Contents of OTA ranged from 26 to 141 μg/kg and from 8 to 52 μg/kg for licorice extracts and root material, respectively. For the analysis, a test portion is extracted with a mixture of methanol and aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The extract is filtered and diluted with phosphate-buffered saline; and OTA is purified with an immunoaffinity column containing antibodies specific to OTA. The purified extract is dried, reconstituted, and quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Twenty laboratories from 13 European Union member states, Uruguay, Turkey, and the United States of America participated in this study. The study was evaluated according to internationally accepted guidelines. The method performance characteristics can be summarized as follows: over a working range of 7.7 to 141 μg/kg OTA, the mean recoveries were 87% for licorice root and 84–88% for licorice extracts; and the RSDs for reproducibility ranged from 10 to 17% and from 11 to 22% in licorice extracts and licorice root, respectively. The method was found to be fit-for-purpose and to fulfill legal requirements as set in EC Regulation No. 401/2006.JRC.D.5-Standards for Food Bioscienc

Report on the inter-laboratory comparison organised by the European Union Reference Laboratory for Mycotoxins for the validation of a method for the determination of Ochratoxin A in liquorice roots and extracts - Method based on immunoaffinity column clean-up with high performance liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection method

The European Union Reference Laboratory for Mycotoxins (EU-RL Mycotoxins), operated by the Institute for Reference Materials and Methods (IRMM) of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), organised a method validation study (MVS) for evaluating the effectiveness of a method for the determination of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in liquorice root and liquorice extracts. A test portion is extracted with a mixture of methanol and aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The extract is filtered, diluted with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), and OTA is purified with an immunoaffinity column containing antibodies specific to OTA. The purified extract is dried, reconstituted and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography-flourimetric detection. Twenty laboratories from 13 EU Member States, a laboratory in Uruguay, one in Turkey, one in Canada, and one in US participated in this study. Contents of OTA ranged from 26 to 141 µg/kg and from 8 to 52 µg/kg for liquorice extracts and root material respectively. Mean recoveries were calculated as 87 % for liquorice root, and 84 to 88 % for liquorice extracts. Based on results for the spiked and naturally contaminated samples the relative standard deviations for reproducibility (RSDR) ranged from 10 to 17 % and from 11 to 22 % in liquorice extracts and liquorice root respectively. Standard deviations for repeatability (RSDr) ranged from 4 to 9 % and from 6 to 9 % in liquorice extracts and liquorice root respectively. The Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 lays down performance criteria that must be met by a method to determine OTA in food when used for official control purposes. These criteria have been met by this method for both the liquorice root and the liquorice extracts.JRC.DG.D.6-Food Safety and Qualit

The use of aminoglycosides in animals within the EU: development of resistance in animals and possible impact on human and animal health: a review.

Aminoglycosides (AGs) are important antibacterial agents for the treatment of various infections in humans and animals. Following extensive use of AGs in humans, food-producing animals and companion animals, acquired resistance among human and animal pathogens and commensal bacteria has emerged. Acquired resistance occurs through several mechanisms, but enzymatic inactivation of AGs is the most common one. Resistance genes are often located on mobile genetic elements, facilitating their spread between different bacterial species and between animals and humans. AG resistance has been found in many different bacterial species, including those with zoonotic potential such as Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and livestock-associated MRSA. The highest risk is anticipated from transfer of resistant enterococci or coliforms (Escherichia coli) since infections with these pathogens in humans would potentially be treated with AGs. There is evidence that the use of AGs in human and veterinary medicine is associated with the increased prevalence of resistance. The same resistance genes have been found in isolates from humans and animals. Evaluation of risk factors indicates that the probability of transmission of AG resistance from animals to humans through transfer of zoonotic or commensal foodborne bacteria and/or their mobile genetic elements can be regarded as high, although there are no quantitative data on the actual contribution of animals to AG resistance in human pathogens. Responsible use of AGs is of great importance in order to safeguard their clinical efficacy for human and veterinary medicine

EMA and EFSA Joint Scientific Opinion on measures to reduce the need to use antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry in the European Union, and the resulting impacts on food safety (RONAFA)

EFSA and EMA have jointly reviewed measures taken in the EU to reduce the need for and use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals, and the resultant impacts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Reduction strategies have been implemented successfully in some Member States. Such strategies include national reduction targets, benchmarking of antimicrobial use, controls on prescribing and restrictions on use of specific critically important antimicrobials, together with improvements to animal husbandry and disease prevention and control measures. Due to the multiplicity of factors contributing to AMR, the impact of any single measure is difficult to quantify, although there is evidence of an association between reduction in antimicrobial use and reduced AMR. To minimise antimicrobial use, a multifaceted integrated approach should be implemented, adapted to local circumstances. Recommended options (non-prioritised) include: development of national strategies; harmonised systems for monitoring antimicrobial use and AMR development; establishing national targets for antimicrobial use reduction; use of on-farm health plans; increasing the responsibility of veterinarians for antimicrobial prescribing; training, education and raising public awareness; increasing the availability of rapid and reliable diagnostics; improving husbandry and management procedures for disease prevention and control; rethinking livestock production systems to reduce inherent disease risk. A limited number of studies provide robust evidence of alternatives to antimicrobials that positively influence health parameters. Possible alternatives include probiotics and prebiotics, competitive exclusion, bacteriophages, immunomodulators, organic acids and teat sealants. Development of a legislative framework that permits the use of specific products as alternatives should be considered. Further research to evaluate the potential of alternative farming systems on reducing AMR is also recommended. Animals suffering from bacterial infections should only be treated with antimicrobials based on veterinary diagnosis and prescription. Options should be reviewed to phase out most preventive use of antimicrobials and to reduce and refine metaphylaxis by applying recognised alternative measure