Aflatoxin analysis

Introduction

Aflatoxins are a class of harmful compounds generated by specific fungi, mainly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These molds thrive in warm and humid environments, allowing them to contaminate various food crops such as peanuts, corn, cottonseed, tree nuts, and spices. Eating food that is contaminated with aflatoxins can result in severe health issues, including liver damage, cancer, and even death.

Types of aflatoxins

There are over 20 known types of aflatoxins, but the four most common ones found in food are:

Importance of testing aflatoxin analysis

Health Safeguarding

• Aflatoxins are carcinogenic and linked to liver cancer.
• Detecting contamination reduces health risks and exposure.
• Early detection enables timely public health interventions.

Food Safety Compliance

• Ensures adherence to food safety regulations.
• Builds consumer confidence in food products.
• Facilitates international trade by meeting testing standards.

Enhanced Production and Storage

• Informs practices to reduce contamination pre- and post-harvest.
• Improves agricultural methods and storage conditions.
• Continuous monitoring lowers long-term health risks.

Standards and Regulations

European Union Regulations

Maximum Levels

The EU sets maximum levels for various aflatoxins, notably:

• Aflatoxin B1: 2.0 µg/kg in cereals.
• Total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): 4.0 µg/kg in cereals.
• Aflatoxin B1: 5.0 µg/kg for Total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2): 10 µg/kg in spices
• For nuts, levels vary from 2 to 12 µg/kg for B1 and 4 to 15 µg/kg for total aflatoxins.

Regulatory Framework

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 establishes maximum levels for aflatoxins in foodstuffs.
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006 outlines methods for sampling and analysis of mycotoxins.
• Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 addresses specific conditions for foodstuffs imported from third countries due to contamination risks.

Guidance Documents

• The EU provides guidance documents for competent authorities to ensure compliance with legislation on aflatoxins, which includes methods of control and monitoring.

Specific Limits for Milk

• The maximum level of Aflatoxin M1 in milk is set at 0.05 µg/kg, with stricter limits for infant formula at 0.025 µg/kg

 FSSAI Regulations

FSSAI has established limits for aflatoxins as follows:

• Aflatoxin B1: Maximum of 15 µg/kg in cereals, pulses, and nuts; 10 µg/kg for ready-to-eat nuts.
• Aflatoxin M1: Maximum of 0.5 µg/kg in milk.

Mandatory and optional analyses for aflatoxins

Eurofins role in testing aflatoxins

Eurofins plays a significant role in testing for aflatoxins in various food and feed products:

Mycotoxin Analysis Expertise

• Eurofins' food testing laboratories specialize in research into mycotoxins like aflatoxins. They have expertise in analyzing for the presence of aflatoxins and other mycotoxins such as ochratoxin, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisin.

Flexible Testing Services

• Eurofins Food Feed Rotterdam Testing laboratory, located near the Port of Rotterdam, provides quick and accurate testing services for large bulk shipments of animal feed, milk products, maize, palm kernel, herbs, chocolate, nuts, rice, and other processed or unprocessed food and feed products entering the port.

Accredited Laboratories

• Eurofins uses ISO 17025 accredited laboratories to analyze samples for aflatoxin B1 levels. The remainder of each final sample is sealed, labeled and stored for reference.

Compliance with Regulations

• Eurofins' aflatoxin testing helps food and feed producers ensure compliance with legal limits on mycotoxin levels in products. The law determines the maximum allowable levels of these carcinogenic substances in food.

Organoleptic Examinations

• Eurofins' Rotterdam laboratory can perform unique organoleptic examinations using microscopy to detect animal components, dangerous weed seeds, and other adulterants in high-risk products like animal feed

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