Livelab

The Mycotoxins Issue:

New Developments

As of February 1st 2009 NABIM ruled that any wheat moving into a UK mill would require a DON test. The NFU are lobbying for the risk assessment model to be brought back into place but given that intake tests are still being conducted, and rejection decisions made based on DON levels at intake, a risk assessment is a rather lean marketing tool.

2006 rulings

The EU commission has ruled that from 1st July 2006, grain has maximum levels of mycotoxins contamination. These rules will apply to grain being processed after this date. In line with these regulations, livelab has developed a cost effective package of analytical services to meet the industry needs. We are the first UK laboratory too put the new second generation of rapid test formats into commercial use. Using these we can accurately report the levels of toxin within several hours of receiving your samples.

About Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are potentially very harmful if consumed. Being potentially carcinogenic, it is important that you know about their presence to prevent infringement of the EU directive. Grain destined for the food chain must be tested. Ochratoxin can develop easily in the right conditions, particularly in warm, moist storage conditions. Mycotoxins are particularly associated with wheat that has been planted after maize and particularly in combination with minimum tillage strategies. The most common mycotoxins in the UK is DON, although even this is very rare.

Our Service

Our service takes approximately 24 hours from receipt of sample to results being available to our clients. With advance notice of incoming samples we can make preparations to reduce this time to approximately 2 hours. We do offer a sampling service if required. Your results will be delivered to you in your chosen format but all results are displayed on our secure website immediately they become available. We can perform a full ‘sweep’ for the following mycotoxins above the EU limits:

Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, Fumonisins, T-2 and DON.
Legal limits