Mycotoxin warnings
The challenge from mycotoxins is forever changing due for example to seasonal growing conditions, climate change, crop practices and land use. There is no single strategy that copes with the vast array of mycotoxins – over 400 are known about – which predominantly produced by Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium mould species. Warnings about their occurrence are issued in Europe by RASFF Food and Feed Safety Alerts, a system which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. During the last month alerts included aflatoxins in: roasted salted pistachios from the US; dried figs from turkey; whole emmer wheat pasta from Italy; maize from Serbia and melon seeds from the Netherlands. In the UK, farmers are well informed about mycotoxin risks throughout the growing season by the Home Grown Cereal Authority and also by regular independent surveys. A recent such report warned farmers that feedstuffs could be more at risk; an analysis of last year’s forages revealed that 75% contained at least one mycotoxin. This month, experts met in Vienna at the World Mycotoxin Forum to discuss the global impact of mycotoxins. Topics included an incident in the Balkans early last year when there were reports of nationwide contamination of milk for human consumption by aflatoxin M1, believed to be from contaminated feed. There have also been recent outbreaks of aflatoxicoses in East Africa. As part of a strategy for the prevention and mitigation of the harmful effects of mycotoxins through detection, Vicam revealed its latest innovations at the meeting; these included its range of front line screening tests Vertu (e.g. Afla-M1) as well as its world-renowned range of multitoxin immunoaffinity columns.