Worldwide Mycotoxin Regulations
Mycotoxins can cause a variety of adverse health effects in humans and animals. The mycotoxins of most concern so far include aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1), ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, zearalenone and patulin. Other mycotoxins are gaining importance from a food and feed safety perspective and maximum levels are under discussion.
European Union
In the European Union strict rules and legislative limits defined by the European Commission have been set for all of the above mentioned toxins in certain food- and feedstuff to protect animals and humans.
Regulations in the European Union
United States
In the United States maximum levels for aflatoxins and patulin have been defined in food and feed. For some of the other above mentioned toxins, like deoxynivalenol and fumonisins guidance levels are known.
Regulations in the United States
Brazil
In Brazil the maximum levels to protect human health have been defined for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and patulin in a variety of commodities.
Asia
In Asia differences regarding legislation exist in different regions.
In Japan aflatoxins, including aflatoxin M1, deoxynivalenol and patulin are regulated in food, whereas in feed only for aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone maximum levels are defined for certain groups of animals.
Regulations in JapanThe Chinese Mycotoxin Legislation has defined maximum levels aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, T-2 toxin and patulin in food and feed to protect human and animal health.
In Singapore action levels are defined for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and patulin in food. Generally the official legislation in Singapore is non-detect for mycotoxins in all foodsamples.
In Indonesia legislative limits in food are set for aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, ochratoxin A and patulin. In feed there only exists a maximum level for total aflatoxins.
In Malaysia only aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and patulin are regulated by defined maximum levels in food.
In Korea all mentioned mycotoxins from the beginning, except T-2 and HT-2 toxin are regulated by maximum levels to not be reached in food.
