The Food Standards Agency has recently issued a Food Alert for Action regarding excess levels of aflatoxin mycotoxin in a spicypowder (for details please www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2006/feb/activesuya )
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins that are primarily associated with raw materials and foods from warm, humid countries. Aflatoxins are highly toxic (linked to liver cancer) and there are legal limits in the EU. The maximum permitted limits in certain spices are 5?g/kg for aflatoxin B1 and 10?g/kg for total aflatoxin.
The products at highest risk of contamination are nuts (e.g. peanuts, Brazil nuts pistachios), dried fruits, spices and cereals.
Aflatoxins are just one of the 28 mycotoxins included in RHM Technology’s scope, accredited by UKAS to the ISO 17025 standard in an extensive range of sample matrices.
RHM Technology can provide a Complete Mycotoxin Service