Deoxynivalenol (DON) Testing

Vomitoxin, also known as Deoxynivalenol or DON, is one of the most common mycotoxins and it can contaminate a wide variety of grains, including corn, wheat, oats, barley, and rice.

To ensure a high level of public health protection, EC finds it appropriate to lower certain existing maximum levels for DON, following the principle that maximum levels are to be set at a level as low as reasonably achievable by applying good practices to minimize contamination, and taking into account recent occurrence data.

In 2023, the European Union (EU) implemented the latest Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2023/915 to control the content of DON in cereals intended for direct human consumption. The content of DON in cereal food and processed food directly supplied for human sale should not exceed 750?μg/kg, whereas the content of DON in processed cereal foods for baby food should not exceed 200?μg/kg.?

For?deoxynivalenol and its acetylated and modified derivatives, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 1 μg/kg bw per day in 2017. While acute exposure was below this established dose, chronic exposure to babies, children and adults was found to pose a health risk. The new and adjusted maximum levels again refer only to DON, as too little data is available for the DON derivatives and these have not yet been analysed in routine practice.

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1022, effective from July 1, 2024, amends Regulation (EU) 2023/915 by setting new maximum levels for DON in food. This includes specific limits for unprocessed cereals such as oat grains, which are covered to ensure safety even before milling or incorporation into consumer product.

New Draft Regulation now sets maximum levels for the following food groups:

• Unprocessed cereal grains, with maximum quantities varying depending on the type of cereal
• Bakery products, Pasta, Cereal Snacks, and Breakfast Cereals
• Cereal goods for the end user, with varying maximum amounts depending on the type of cereal
• Milled cereal goods have varying maximum values based on the type of cereal
• Baby food and cereal-based products for newborns and young children

We are pleased to provide our wide range of services to assist you in ensuring the quality of your food products.

These new standards necessitate close monitoring and compliance with the established limits for these mycotoxins. Furthermore, a transition time has been established for products manufactured prior to the effective date, which are permitted until their minimum shelf life.

Eureka can use advanced analytical techniques to provide its clients with accurate and reliable data, which is essential for maintaining food safety. Our expertise not only assists clients in meeting the new criteria but also improves the safety of their processes..