Ochratoxin A: barrier levels for coffee and grape juice

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Ochratoxin A: barrier levels for coffee and grape juice

http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/news-NG.asp?n=55422-ochratoxin-a-

barrier

15/10/2004 - Food makers alert to the levels of a potentially

carcinogenic mould commonly found on crops as scientists back an

extension barrier levels for ochratoxin A to grape juice, coffee and

wine.

The group of scientific experts representing various EU member

states backed a move by the European Commission to establish a

maximum level for ochratoxin A found these foodstuffs following

rising concerns that EU consumers are increasingly exposed to the

mycotoxin, shown to have carcinogenic and other toxic properties.

Byrne, EU commissioner for health and consumer protection said

setting maximum levels for Ochratoxin A, means that consumers " can

enjoy coffee and wine without worrying about possible contamination.

The proposal also introduces maximum levels for grape juice, a drink

frequently consumed by children. "

Rules are already in place for upper levels of Ochratoxin in cereals

and dried vine fruit, the main source of exposure for consumers.

Mycotoxins, produced by moulds that have contaminated and grown on

foods, cause sickness, and in extreme cases death, in people and

farm animals. But they rest a modern day problem that the food

industry must tackle on a daily basis.

Low levels of ochratoxin A in foods are not considered to pose a

risk to health at all, however, at high levels it is considered to

be a potential carcinogen. Animal studies have shown that a type of

ochratoxin A can cause tumours in the kidney and other organs. In

humans, exposure to high levels of ochratoxin A has been linked with

chronic renal disease and an increased incidence of urinary tract

tumours.

It has been estimated that 25 per cent of all agricultural crops

worldwide are contaminated by moulds that produce mycotoxins. The

toxins are mostly found in cereals, nuts, cocoa and coffee beans,

but also in other foods, like wine, dried fruits and meat,

particularly when the water content/activity and the temperature are

poorly controlled.

" Human exposure is inevitable, and ochratoxin A has been detected in

human blood samples, but generally at low levels in healthy people, "

say the Commission, that is expected to extend the rules even

further to new foodstuffs.

Brussels agreed on the following limits this week for coffee, wine

and grape juice: roasted coffee beans and ground roasted coffee 5.0

µg/kg; soluble coffee 10.0 µg/kg; wine and other wine and/or grape

must based drinks 2.0 µg/kg; grape juice and grape juice ingredients

in other drinks 2.0 µg/kg.