Why Should We Pay Attention To The EU Regulation Of The Maximum Limit Of Ochratoxin A?
Nov 29, 2022
Research from Sweden, West Germany, Canada, and Yugoslavia detected ochratoxin in human serum and blood. Analysis of urine from children in Sierra Leone detected ochratoxins and aflatoxins all through the year. Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 25% of the world's crops are contaminated with mycotoxins. Therefore, what is ochratoxin A (OTA)? Let us understand the concept of ochratoxin A, its harm to the human body, and the latest EU regulations on the maximum limit of ochratoxin A.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that is naturally produced by fungi of the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium and is present as a contaminant in a variety of foods such as cereals and cereal products, dried fruit, wine and grape juice, coffee beans, spices and licorice, etc. Ochratoxin A is formed during the drying and storage of crops. Its formation can be avoided by using good drying and storage practices.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) has been proven to be toxic and cancerogenic to animals. The primary target organ of ochratoxin A is the kidney. Other side effects include hepatotoxicity, immunosuppressant, inhibition of macromolecular synthesis, increased lipid peroxidation, and inhibition of mitochondrial ATP production. Based on carcinogenicity demonstrated in animal studies, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified ochratoxin A as a Group 2B probable human carcinogen. A recent study suggests that ochratoxin A triggers autism through an epigenetic mechanism. Ochratoxin A altered nutrient absorption in the gut, and moreover, ochratoxin A-treated animals experienced faster and more detrimental parasitic infections. In addition, OTA was also found to induce intestinal permeability through oxidative stress. OTA affects the gut by reducing nutrient absorption, disrupting gut permeability, cell apoptosis, and modulating the immune system.
In order to avoid the above-mentioned harm of ochratoxin A to the human body, on August 5, 2022, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2022/1370, amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, adding the Maximum Level (ML) of ochratoxin A in some foodstuffs.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 has established maximum levels of ochratoxin A in certain foods. Nevertheless, it must be taken into account that ochratoxin A has been found in foods that would cause human exposure to ochratoxin A for which no maximum levels have been established. It is also appropriate to set maximum levels for foods such as dried fruit other than dried vine fruit, licorice products, dried herbs, ingredients for herbal infusions, oilseeds, pistachios, and cocoa powder. Additionally, existing maximum levels of ochratoxin A in certain food products, such as bakery products, raisin fruit, roasted coffee, and instant coffee, should be reduced appropriately. Accordingly, Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006 should be amended based on Regulation (EU) 2022/1370 in the table below.
Foodstuffs | Maximum Level (μg/kg) | |
2.2 Ochratoxin A | ||
2.2.1 | Unprocessed cereals | 5.0 |
2.2.2 | All products derived/processed from unprocessed cereals, except foodstuffs listed in 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.12, and 2.2.13 Cereals placed on the market for the final consumer consumption | 3.0 |
2.2.3 | Bakery goods, cereal snacks, and breakfast cereals | |
- Products that do not contain oilseeds, nuts, or dried fruit | 2.0 | |
- Products that contain NLT 20% dried vine fruit and/or dried figs | 4.0 | |
- Other products that contain oilseeds, nuts, and/or dried fruit | 3.0 | |
2.2.4 | Non-alcoholic malt beverages | 3.0 |
2.2.5 | Wheat gluten not placed on the market for the final consumer consumption | 8.0 |
2.2.6 | Dried fruit | |
- Dried vine fruit (raisins, currants, and sultanas) and dried figs | 8.0 | |
- Other dried fruit | 2.0 | |
2.2.7 | Date syrup | 15.0 |
2.2.8 | Roasted coffee | 3.0 |
- Roasted coffee beans and ground roasted coffee, excluding instant coffee | ||
- Soluble coffee (instant coffee) | 5.0 | |
2.2.9 | Wine (including sparkling wine, excluding liqueur wine and wine with an alcoholic content of NLT 15% vol.) and fruit wine | 2.0 |
2.2.10 | Aromatized wine, aromatized wine-based drinks, and cocktails made from aromatized wines | 2.0 |
2.2.11 | Grape juice, concentrated grape juice as reconstituted, grape nectar, grape must, and concentrated grape must as reconstituted, placed on the market for the final consumer consumption | 2.0 |
2.2.12 | Processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children and baby foods | 0.5 |
2.2.13 | Dietary foods for particular medical purposes intended for infants and young children | 0.5 |
2.2.14 | Spices, including dried spices, except Capsicum spp. | 15.0 |
Capsicum spp. (dried fruits thereof, whole or ground, including cayenne, paprika, chilies, or chili powder ) | 20.0 | |
Mixtures of spices | 15.0 | |
2.2.15 | Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza inflate, and other species) | |
- Licorice root, including as an ingredient in herbal infusions | 20.0 | |
- Licorice extract for use in food in particular beverages and confectionary | 80.0 | |
- Licorice confectionary containing ≥ 97% licorice extract on a dry basis | 50.0 | |
- Other licorice confectionary | 10.0 | |
2.2.16 | Dried herbs | 10.0 |
2.2.17 | Ginger roots for use in herbal infusions | 15.0 |
Marshmallow roots, dandelion roots, and orange blossoms for herbal infusions or coffee substitutes | 20.0 | |
2.2.18 | Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, (water) melon seeds hempseeds, soybeans | 5.0 |
2.2.19 | Pistachios are to be subjected to sorting, or other physical treatment, before placing on the market for final | 10.0 |
Pistachios placed on the market for final consumer consumption or use as an ingredient in foodstuffs | 5.0 | |
2.2.20 | Cocoa powder | 3.0 |
The amendment will come into effect on Jan 1, 2023. But, foods listed in the table that were legally sold before 1 January 2023 may remain on the market until their minimum or best-before date.
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