An Australian survey of patulin in apple juice and other apple products has found the concentration in most items was low.
In 2020, several apple juice products were recalled because of high patulin levels. In response, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and other government, state, and territory health authorities ran a survey to determine if the amount of patulin in foods posed a risk to consumers.
Patulin is a natural toxin produced by certain molds, sometimes found in fruits, vegetables, and cereals. The likelihood of contamination in apples is influenced by the condition of the fruit at harvest and handling and storage conditions. There are no maximum limits for patulin in Australia. However, levels should be kept as low as reasonably achievable.
Juice made from fallen fruit is at higher risk of contamination than those made from tree apples. Any patulin already present in apples is not destroyed by pasteurization.
FoodWorld 