Analytical News: AGROLAB Ibérica expands the scope of accreditation in mycotoxins

AGROLAB Ibérica (Burgos) has accredited aflatoxin M1 in milk and derivatives and dairy-infant food under ISO 17025 and has expanded the scope for the analysis of mycotoxins in beverages, spices and liquorice.

 

Fungal toxins (mycotoxins) are substances produced naturally by several hundred species of moulds that can grow on food under certain humidity and temperature conditions and pose a serious risk to human and animal health.

They usually enter the food chain through contaminated crops, mainly cereals, intended for human and animal consumption. They can cause various adverse effects such as cancer induction and mutagenicity, as well as oestrogen metabolism, gastrointestinal or renal problems.

 

A critical factor in the control of mycotoxins in food is the great heterogeneity in their distribution. For this reason, the criteria for carrying out sampling and analysis of mycotoxins in food have been harmonised at EU level by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2782 of 14 December 2023, which establishes sampling and analysis methods for the control of mycotoxins in foodstuffs.

 

AGROLAB Ibérica's laboratory complies with this regulation, providing the entire sector with the maximum guarantee of quality, certified by an independent body.

 

AGROLAB Ibérica (Burgos) already had ISO 17025 accreditation for the analysis of mycotoxins, including Alternaria toxins, using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-MS/MS) in the following matrices: cereals, flours and derivatives, bakery and confectionery products, nuts and their products, dried fruits and their products, oilseeds and their products, processed tomato-based products and ready meals. Currently, it has extended its scope of accreditation to the determination of Aflatoxin M1 in milk and derivatives and infant milk products and the determination of aflatoxins, tenuazonic acid and ochratoxin in spices and condiments and ochratoxin in wine, beer, juices, nectars and concentrates and liquorice.

 

YOUR PLUS: The accreditation of new tests is part of the AGROLAB Group's desire to improve in order to meet the needs of the market in terms of food safety and is recognition of the technical competence and effort of our professionals. You can consult our scope or contact our customer service for more information.

 

Authors: Dra. Vanessa del Río, Dra. Isabel Gómez (AGROLAB Iberica)