Unregulated, potentially harmful mycotoxin found in over 10% of European cereals sampled, survey shows

Nevin Barich

LOS ANGELES , November 23, 2011 (Industry Intelligence) – A Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey has showed that an unregulated, potentially harmful mycotoxin was found in over 10% of European cereals sampled, FoodProductionDaily.com reported Nov. 23.

According to the survey, ergot alkaloids were detected in 12 of the 100 samples taken.

Currently, there are no European Union regulatory controls in relation to the toxin. The European Commission made an official request to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for an assessment of the risks to both human and animal health related to the presence of ergot alkaloids in food.

The deadline for this request was recently extended by the EFSA to May 2012.

The primary source of this article is FoodProductionDaily.com, Montpellier, France, on Nov. 23, 2011.

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