Food News

The Chemical and Veterinary Inspection Office (CVUA) Sigmaringen (D) tested almost 3,900 food samples for the trichothecene mycotoxins T-2 and HT-2 between 2016 and 2024 and has now published a report on the results.

T-2 and HT-2 toxins are produced by Fusarium fungi. These fungi grow on grain, especially corn and oats, under cool and humid weather conditions. These biotoxins have a cell-damaging effect.

From 1 July 2024, strict maximum residue levels will also apply to these mycotoxins, replacing the previous guideline values. (see RADAR 07/24).

In addition to cereal samples, the food chemists at the investigation office have also included previously rather unsuspected foods in their retrospective evaluation.

While only 5 samples (0.2%) of the 2,400 grain samples analysed during the period in question exceeded the new limits, it is surprising that T-2 and HT-2 were also detected in vegetable oils. The highest levels, at 10-20 µg/kg, were found in hemp and maize germ oil. It was also rather unexpected that these two mycotoxins were also found in 35 cases in apple juice (168 samples) at levels above the limit of quantification of 2 µg/kg. 7 samples stood out with levels between 10 and 20 µg/kg. This year, therefore, a special monitoring programme for apple juice is to clarify whether there is a problem here. Until now, patulin was the main mycotoxin known to contaminate apple juice.

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Author: Dr Frank Mörsberger, AGROLAB GROUP