Survey of maize-based retail products for mycotoxins

Tuesday 25 January 2005

Food Survey Information Sheet 72/05

The results of a survey carried out by the Agency during 2003 of retail maize and maize products for mycotoxins are reported. 292 samples of sweetcorn, corn on the cob, baby food, corn oil, corn flour, polenta, maize meal, maize pasta, maize based snacks and tortillas (including tortilla chips and tacos) were collected and analysed for mycotoxins. These are naturally-occurring toxic chemicals that are produced by some moulds. The mycotoxins analysed included ochratoxin A, aflatoxins, zearalenone, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol and nivalenol. Most of the samples were analysed for all of these mycotoxins.

Levels were low in most of the samples analysed. The Agency took action in response to these findings, including contacting the manufacturers and informing them of the result and the forthcoming limits. There are currently no legal limits for deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fumonisins and zearalenone. Concentrations of fumonisins in two of the maize meal products were high. These were withdrawn from sale and a small-scale follow up survey of fumonisins in maize meal was carried out. The results of this survey, together with details of the action taken by the Agency, were published on the Agency website on 26 September 2003 (for details see the link at the foot of this page).

The results of the survey have been used to monitor UK consumers� dietary exposure to these mycotoxins and test the effectiveness of controls already in place. The results will also be used to inform negotiations on EU-wide limits. The dietary exposures were below established safety guidelines, indicating that consumption of these products does not pose an appreciable risk to human health.