Call for evidence
Call for data: T-2 and HT-2 toxins in food
FSA and FSS are requesting data on the levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxins present in food.
This call for data will be of most interest to:
- food and farming industry trade associations
- mycotoxin researchers and academia
- grain storers
- farmers
- interested international parties
Purpose of the call for data
T-2 and HT-2 are mycotoxins which can be produced under cool and moist conditions prior to harvest by the fusarium species of fungi and mainly affect cereal crops such as oats, wheat, and barley. The presence of T-2 and HT-2 is heavily weather dependent and can exhibit large annual variability. This dependence on climate also means that there are currently no sufficient methods for mitigation of T-2 and HT-2 production via good agricultural practice.
We are gathering information on T-2 and HT-2 toxins in food so that these contaminants can be reviewed, and consumer exposure assessed through our risk analysis process. Outputs will include a risk assessment and evidence base which will inform any future risk management advice including possible risk management options to be presented to Ministers.
How to respond
Data can be sent to us either by using the FSA template or in the format submitted to EFSA (European Food Safety Authority).
To provide your data, complete the spreadsheet template and email it to fsacallsforevidence@food.gov.uk with a distinguishable file name including T-2 and HT-2.
Data template and guidance
Read the guidance on completing the spreadsheet
Details of call for data
We are seeking data from throughout the cereals supply chain, from field to retail level to understand the levels of T-2 and HT-2 that consumers are being exposed to. We are particularly interested in gathering data on cereals both pre and post cleaning/dehulling and finished products, including, where possible, data that spans multiple years to reflect any annual variability of T-2/HT-2 levels.
We would like to gather data from:
- farm – unprocessed grain prior to cleaning
- mill intake/post cleaning
- post dehulling
- after processing – kilning, steel cutting, steaming, flaking etc.
- finished products.
- imported products
In addition to the mandatory fields in the spreadsheet it would be useful to include the following, if this information is available, using the evalInfo.com column (Column AP):
- a clear description of where sampling took place in the supply chain
- state i.e., processed/unprocessed
- geographical region of sampling
We are seeking data that is representative of the levels found at each stage of the supply chain, including non-detects and high values. Data collected will be published as aggregated data and not attributed to an individual, business, trade body or organisation.
Deadline for responses
The deadline for submission is 31 October 2023. This is an FSA/FSS call, and any data submitted will be available to FSA and FSS and used in the risk analysis process for these mycotoxins.
If you are unable to meet this deadline for submission, please do contact us to advise when information would be available.
For information on how the FSA handles your personal data, please refer to the FSA privacy notice.
For information on how FSS handles your personal data, please refer to the FSS privacy notice.
If you have any questions on this call for data, please contact the Chemical Contaminants teams at fsacallsforevidence@food.gov.uk