Category Archives: Mould Toxin

RASFF Alert – Animal Feed – Moulds – Sunflower Seed Meal

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RASFF – sunflower seed meals from Ukraine infested with moulds in Poland

RASFF Alert – Animal Feed -Aflatoxin – Shelled Groundnuts

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RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 29.4 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled groundnuts from Argentina in the UK

Research – Ochratoxin A in food: public health risks assessed

EFSA

EFSA has published a scientific opinion on public health risks related to the presence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in food – a mycotoxin naturally produced by moulds that can be found in a variety of foodstuffs including cereals, preserved meats, fresh and dried fruit, and cheese.

New data that have become available since the last assessment in 2006 suggest that OTA can be genotoxic by directly damaging the DNA. Experts also confirmed that it can be carcinogenic to the kidney. Therefore experts calculated a margin of exposure (MOE). This is a tool used by risk assessors to consider possible safety concerns arising from the presence in food and feed of substances which are both genotoxic and carcinogenic.

In its previous opinion, EFSA established a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) based on toxicity and carcinogenicity to the kidney.

Experts have now used a more conservative approach by calculating MOE and concluded that there is a health concern for most consumers groups. EFSA’s scientific advice will inform the European Commission in the ongoing discussion on maximum levels of OTA in foodstuffs.

EFSA consulted stakeholders and different parties on its draft opinion and comments received were considered when finalising it.

Research – EFSA: Ochratoxin A in food likely poses health risk; licorice cited

Food Safety News

Ochratoxin A in food poses a health concern for most consumer groups, according to a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessment.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin naturally produced by molds that can be found in foodss such as cereals, preserved meats, fresh and dried fruit, and cheese.

Data available since an opinion in 2006 suggest that OTA can be genotoxic by directly damaging the DNA and experts confirmed it can be carcinogenic to the kidney. OTA causes kidney toxicity in different animal species and kidney tumors in rodents.

The European Commission asked EFSA to update the 2006 opinion. In that work, a tolerable weekly intake (TWI) based on toxicity and carcinogenicity to the kidney of 120 nanograms per kilogram (ng/kg) of body weight was established.

RASFF Alert – Aflatoxin -Blanched Groundnut Kernels

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RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 6 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnut kernels from India in the Netherlands

 

RASFF Alerts – Ochratoxin A – Dried Figs

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RASFF – ochratoxin A (25 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in the Netherlands

RASFF – ochratoxin A (26 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in the Netherlands

Australia – Aldi Stores (a Limited Partnership) — PICK’D Cloudy Apple Juice 2L – Patulin

PSA

Photograph of Cloudy Apple Juice

What are the defects?

The recall is due to microbial (mycotoxin patulin) contamination

What are the hazards?

Food products containing mycotoxin (patulin) may cause illness if consumed.

What should consumers do?

Consumers should not drink this product and should return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

For further information, please visit https://www.aldi.com.au/en/about-aldi/product-recalls/ or contact the Aldi Food Recall Hotline on 1800 709 993.

Traders who sold this product

Aldi Stores in WA, SA, Vic, ACT and certain NSW stores
For NSW stores, see https://www.aldi.com.au/en/about-aldi/product-recalls/

Where the product was sold
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
South Australia
Victoria
Western Australia
Dates available for sale
  • 16 January 2020 – 15 May 2020

Recall advertisements and supporting documentation

Research – Fusarium: How to assess and manage the risk in cereals

FWI

Protecting crops against the damaging effects of fusarium ear blight is essential in any year, but it could be even more so this season, given the reduced wheat area and strong premiums for milling wheat.

Fusarium and its associated mycotoxins are not just a concern for milling wheat growers, though, as the different forms of the disease can affect yield and quality in all the main cereals: wheat, barley and oats.

As there are legal mycotoxin limits on grain for human consumption, and guidance limits on crops intended for animal feed, it is vital to protect all crops.

Australia – ALDI PICK’D Cloudy Apple Juice 2L – Patulin

FSANZ

ALDI Stores (a Limited Partnership) is conducting a recall of PICK’D Cloudy Apple Juice 2L. The product has been available for sale at ALDI Stores in WA, SA, VIC, ACT and certain NSW Stores (listed below).

Albion Park Rail, Ambarvale, Ashfield, Auburn, Balgowlah, Bankstown Airport, Bankstown Central, Bass Hill, Batemans Bay, Belrose, Blair Athol, Bondi Junction, Bonnyrigg, Bowral, Broadway, Brookvale, Campbelltown, Canterbury, Casula Mall, Chatswood, Chatswood Place, Chullora, Cooma, Corrimal, Dapto, Darlinghurst, Dee Why, Drummoyne, East Gardens, Eastlakes, Eastwood, Edgecliff, Edmondson Park, Emerald Hills, Engadine, Fairfield Forum, Fairfield West, Fairy Meadow, Frenchs Forest, Galston, Gladesville, Glenfield Park, Goulburn, Griffith, Guildford, Hillsdale, Horningsea Park, Hornsby, Hoxton Park, Hurstville, Kirrawee, Kogarah, Lakemba, Leeton, Leichhardt, Lidcombe, Liverpool, Liverpool Central, Macarthur Shopping Ctr, Macquarie Fields, Macquarie Park, Manly, Maroubra, Marrickville, Menai, Merrylands, Miller, Minto, Miranda,    Miranda Central, Mittagong, Mona Vale, Mosman, Moss Vale, Mt Annan, Mt Kuring gai, Narellan, North Strathfield, North Sydney, Nowra, Queanbeyan, Rhodes, Riverwood, Rockdale, Roselands, Rydalmere, Shellharbour, Tahmoor, Thornleigh, Top Ryde, Ulladulla, Villawood, Vincentia, Wagga Wagga, Warilla, Warrawong, Warriewood, Waterloo, Wentworthville, Westleigh, Wetherill Park, Wolli Creek, Wollongong, Yass , Young

Date markings

Use by Date: 22/05/2020, 29/05/2020, 17/06/2020, 7/07/2020, 15/07/2020, 27/07/2020, 30/07/2020, 7/08/2020 and 11/08/2020

All other Use by Dates available for sale are not affected

Problem

The recall is due to microbial (Mycotoxin – Patulin) contamination.

Food safety hazard

Food products containing Mycotoxin – Patulin may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

Australia

What to do​

Customers should not consume this product and return the recalled product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

For further information please contact:

Food Recall Hotline on 1800 709 993

Related links:

RASFF Alert- Aflatoxin – Blanched Groundnut Kernels

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RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 30.64; Tot. = 39.84 / B1 = 28.51; Tot. = 37.95 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnut kernels from Paraguay in Poland