What Is The New Maximum Level Of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Foods?
Jul 28, 2022
The European Commission (EC) has set new maximum levels for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in various foods. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary heterocyclic metabolites with a typical pyrrolizidine ring, which are produced by multiple plant species such as Boraginaceae, Asteraceae, Apocynaceae, Orchidaceae, Heliotropiaceae, and Fabaceae.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) can contaminate eggs, honey, milk, wheat, dietary supplements, and herbal infusions, and can lead to severe hepatotoxicity, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, tumorigenicity, and neurotoxicity in humans and animals. Regulation (EU) No 2020/2040 of December 11, 2020, amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, and establishing new maximum values for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in foods such as tea, chamomile, infusion herbs, food supplements containing plant and pollen-based extracts, pollen and pollen-based products, fresh borage leaves, frozen and dried herbs such as lovage, oregano, borage, marjoram, and cumin seeds.
Regulation (EU) 2020/2040 came into force on 1 July 2022.
Regarding the envisaged maximum value of PAs, the regulation states:
Reference | Food products | Maximum level (μg/kg) |
8.4.1 | Herbal infusions (dried products) with exception of the herbal infusions mentioned in 8.4.2 and 8.4.4. | 200 |
8.4.2 | Herbal infusions of Rooibos, Star Anise (Pimpinella anisum), Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Thyme, Peppermint, Lemon Verbena (dried), and mixtures consisting solely of these dried herbs, except the herbal infusions mentioned in 8.4.4. | 400 |
8.4.3 | Tea (Camellia sinensis) and flavored tea (*4) (Camellia sinensis) (dry), except tea and flavored tea mentioned in 8.4.4. | 150 |
8.4.4 | Tea (Camellia sinensis), flavored tea (Camellia sinensis), and herbal infusions (dry) for infants and young children. | 75 |
8.4.5 | Tea (Camellia sinensis), flavored tea (Camellia sinensis), and herbal infusions (liquid) for Infants and young children. | 1 |
8.4.6 | Food supplements containing herbal ingredients, including extracts, other than food supplements mentioned in 8.4.7. | 400 |
8.4.7 | Pollen-based food supplements Pollen and pollen products | 500 |
8.4.8 | Borage leaves (fresh and frozen) are placed on the market for use by the final consumer. | 750 |
8.4.9 | Dried herbs except the dried herbs mentioned in 8.4.10. | 400 |
8.4.10 | Borage, lovage, marjoram, and oregano (dried) and blends consisting solely of these dried herbs. | 1 000 |
8.4.11 | Cumin seeds (seed spice) | 400 |
