scholarly journals Undertaking a New Regulatory Challenge: Monitoring of Ergot Alkaloids in Italian Food Commodities

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 871
Author(s):  
Veronica Maria Teresa Lattanzio ◽  
Emanuela Verdini ◽  
Stefano Sdogati ◽  
Angela Caporali ◽  
Biancamaria Ciasca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Official Control ◽  
Commission Regulation ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Food Commodities ◽  
Commission Recommendation ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Regulatory Challenge

The present manuscript reports on monitoring data of 12 ergot alkaloids (EAs) in cereal and cereal-derived products, collected in Italy over the period 2017–2020, for official control purposes under the edge of the Commission Recommendation 2012/154/EU on the monitoring of the presence of EAs in feed and food. To these purposes, an LC-MS/MS method was set up and applied, after in-house verification of its analytical performance. Besides satisfactory recoveries and precision, the method’s quantification limits proved suitable to assess the compliance of cereals and cereal-based foods with the recently issued EU maximum permitted levels (Commission Regulation 2021/1399/EU). The validity of the generated data was also evaluated through the adoption of four proficiency tests, from which acceptable z-score values (−2 ≤ z ≤ 2) were obtained. The method was then applied to analyse a total of 67 samples, collected in Italy over the period 2017–2020. The samples consisted of 18 cereal grains, 16 flours (14 of wheat and 2 of spelt) and 31 other types of cereals derivatives (including 9 for infants). Overall, the EAs analysis returned a high percentage of left-censored data (>86%). Among the positive samples, the highest contamination levels, up to 94.2 µg/kg, were found for ergocristine (12% incidence), followed by ergocristinine (7% incidence) with levels of up to 48.3 µg/kg.

Free-range eggs from a very polluted site in central Italy: levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins/Furans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls and estimated human dietary exposure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Castellani ◽  
Lamberto Manzoli ◽  
Cecilia Acuti Martellucci ◽  
Maria Elena Flacco ◽  
Maria Luisa Astolfi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polychlorinated Biphenyls ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Free Range ◽  
Weekly Intake ◽  
Tolerable Weekly Intake ◽  
Commission Regulation ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
A Site

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contamination levels of some classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in free-range hen eggs and to estimate the related human dietary exposure in a Site of National Interest (SNI), characterized by a serious state of environmental pollution (Bussi sul Tirino area, central Italy). For these purposes, 17 samples of free-range hen eggs collected in home-producing farms located in the SNI territory were analyzed for 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and 6 non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs). Dietary exposure was assessed assuming a standard consumption of eggs per week. The concentration of ∑PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs ranged from 0.463 to 8.028 pg TEQ (Toxic Equivalent) g−1 fat, while the mean contamination level of the ∑ndl-PCBs ranged from 0.234 to 7.741 ng TEQ g−1 fat. PCDD/Fs and PCBs contamination levels were lower than maximum values established by the Commission Regulation (EU) 1259/2011, except for one sample. The estimated weekly intake (EWI), calculated in order to evaluate the contribution in terms of the monitored pollutants of the locally produced eggs to the diet, was lower than the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

scholarly journals FRESHNESS GRADING OF SHELL EGGS USING A DIELECTRIC TECHNIQUE AND ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK METHOD

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Angelo Fabbri ◽  
Luigi Ragni ◽  
Annachiara Berardinelli ◽  
Chiara Cevoli ◽  
Alessandro Giunchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Size ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Sine Wave ◽  
Dielectric Parameters ◽  
Shell Eggs ◽  
Network Method ◽  
Commission Regulation ◽  
Artificial Neural Network Method ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
Set Up

The increase in size of the air cell is related to the aging process of the eggs. According to the European Commission Regulation, eggs must be classified in A (air cell size higher than 4 mm), and A “extra” (air cell size lower than 4 mm) categories by candling inspection. This technique is unable to non-destructively assess the size of the air cell during egg grading. The present research studies the possibility to nondestructively grading shell eggs from dielectric parameters obtained by means of a sine wave RF oscillator, a parallel inductance and capacitance circuit. In particular, dielectric parameters and egg dimensional characteristics were used to set up multi-layer (MLP) artificial neural networks. Using MLP with two hidden layers, eggs can be correctly graded in A and A “extra” categories (test validation) within a mean performance close to 90%.

scholarly journals Validation of an analytical method for the determination of acrylamide in potato chips and french fries

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-85
Author(s):  
Mioara Negoiță ◽  
Adriana Laura Mihai ◽  
Gabriela-Andreea Horneț
Keyword(s):  
Ethyl Acetate ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Potato Chips ◽  
French Fries ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Good Precision ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Hexane Extraction ◽  
Commission Regulation

The aim of this study was to validate a GC-MS/MS method for determining acrylamide (AA) in potato-based products by using the solid-phase extraction (SPE) clean-up. The method consisted in defatting the sample (potato chips, French fries) with hexane, extraction of AA in water, centrifugation, followed by AA purification on two SPE columns. The purified extract was derivatized with bromine compounds, then extracted with ethyl acetate: hexane mixture. The residue dissolved in ethyl acetate and triethylamine was injected into the GC-MS/MS. The method showed a good precision (RSDr= 1.13- 4.26%; RSDR= 1.19- 8.84%) and accuracy (recovery= 85.64- 109.22%). The precision of the results was demonstrated by participation in two proficiency tests launched by the FAPAS® program, yielding z-scores of -0.8 (for pre-cooked French fries) and 0 (for potato crisps). Good sensitivity was achieved for potato chips with a LOD and LOQ of 6.94 and 20.83 μg/kg, while for French fries, it was 10.29 and 30.87 μg/kg, respectively. When applying the method on potato chips sample, the AA level varied between undetectable and 1504.93 μg/kg, while for French fries was between 31.45- 371.30 μg/kg. The method fulfilled the performance criteria of Commission Regulation EU 2017/2158 for the determination of AA in potato-based products.

scholarly journals Validation of A MS Based Proteomics Method for Milk and Egg Quantification in Cookies at The Lowest VITAL Levels: An Alternative to The Use of Precautionary Labeling

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Monaci ◽  
Elisabetta De Angelis ◽  
Rocco Guagnano ◽  
Aristide P. Ganci ◽  
Iganzio Garaguso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Processed Food ◽  
Scenario Development ◽  
Food Industries ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Total Milk ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Food Commodities ◽  
Reference Doses ◽  
Voluntary Basis ◽  
Labelling System

The prevalence of food allergy has increased over the last decades and consequently the food labeling policies have improved over the time in different countries to regulate allergen presence in foods. In particular, Reg 1169 in EU mandates the labelling of 14 allergens whenever intentionally added to foods, but the inadvertent contamination by allergens still remains uncovered topic. In order to warn consumers on the risk of cross-contamination occurring in certain categories of foods, a precautionary allergen labelling system has been put in place by food industries on voluntary basis. In order to reduce the overuse of PAL, reference doses and action limits have been proposed by the VITAL project representing a guide in this jeopardize scenario. Development of sensitive and reliable mass spectrometry methods are therefore of paramount importance in this regard to check the contamination levels in foods. In this paper we describe the development of a managed time MRM method based on a triple quadrupole platform for milk and egg quantification in processed food. The method was in house validated and allowed to achieve levels of proteins lower than 0.2mg of total milk and egg proteins respectively in cookies, challenging the doses recommended by VITAL. The method was finally applied to cookies labeled as milk and egg-free. This method could represent in perspective a promising tool to be implemented along the food chain to detect even tiny amounts of allergens contaminating food commodities.

scholarly journals Determination and uncertainty analysis of inorganic arsenic in rice by UHPLC-ICPMS

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-259
Author(s):  
Rajesh Rangasamy ◽  
Praveen Kumar Malekadi ◽  
D. Peer Mohamed ◽  
Dheeraj Kumar Tyagi ◽  
Rahul Raveendran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Inorganic Arsenic ◽  
Reversed Phase ◽  
Limit Of Quantification ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Official Control ◽  
Commission Regulation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Energy Discrimination

The present study arose from the need of to determine inorganic arsenic (iAs) at low levels in rice. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ICPMS) using Kinetic Energy Discrimination (KED) mode to eliminate spectral interferences was used for analysis of iAs. Sample preparation involves extraction of inorganic arsenic (sum of As3+ and As5+) with water by heating at 90 °C for 5 min in water bath. Separation is accomplished with a reversed-phase ion pack column using a gradient chromatographic method followed by ICPMS analysis within 5 min. The method was validated in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 836/2011 and performance characteristics were verified. Acceptable values were obtained for specificity, repeatability (HorRatr < 0.6), within-lab reproducibility (HorRatR < 0.3) with recovery 80-90%, limit of quantification (0.02 mg/kg), fitness-for-purpose and trueness (using CRM); thus, the method can be considered for official control purposes.

scholarly journals Validation of a MS Based Proteomics Method for Milk and Egg Quantification in Cookies at the Lowest VITAL Levels: An Alternative to the Use of Precautionary Labeling

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1489
Author(s):  
Linda Monaci ◽  
Elisabetta De Angelis ◽  
Rocco Guagnano ◽  
Aristide P. Ganci ◽  
Ignazio Garaguso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Reaction Monitoring ◽  
Scenario Development ◽  
Food Industries ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Food Commodities ◽  
Reference Doses ◽  
Voluntary Basis ◽  
Labelling System ◽  
Allergen Labelling

The prevalence of food allergy has increased over the last decades and consequently the food labeling policies have improved over the time in different countries to regulate allergen presence in foods. In particular, Reg 1169 in EU mandates the labelling of 14 allergens whenever intentionally added to foods, but the inadvertent contamination by allergens still remains an uncovered topic. In order to warn consumers on the risk of cross-contamination occurring in certain categories of foods, a precautionary allergen labelling system has been put in place by food industries on a voluntary basis. In order to reduce the overuse of precautionary allergen labelling (PAL), reference doses and action limits have been proposed by the Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling VITAL project representing a guide in this jeopardizing scenario. Development of sensitive and reliable mass spectrometry methods are therefore of paramount importance in this regard to check the contamination levels in foods. In this paper we describe the development of a time-managed multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method based on a triple quadrupole platform for milk and egg quantification in processed food. The method was in house validated and allowed to achieve levels of proteins lower than 0.2 mg of total milk and egg proteins, respectively, in cookies, challenging the doses recommended by VITAL. The method was finally applied to cookies labeled as milk and egg-free. This method could represent, in perspective, a promising tool to be implemented along the food chain to detect even tiny amounts of allergens contaminating food commodities.

Accreditation of a Screening Method for Non–Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyl Detection in Fishery Products according to European Legislation

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1017-1020 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. P. SERPE ◽  
R. RUSSO ◽  
L. AMBROSIO ◽  
M. ESPOSITO ◽  
L. SEVERINO
Keyword(s):  
Polychlorinated Biphenyl ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Detection Capability ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Official Control ◽  
Mandatory Requirement ◽  
Commission Regulation ◽  
Local Health Authorities

European Commission Regulation 882/2004/EC requires that official control laboratories for foodstuffs in the member states are certified according to UNI EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (general requirement for the competence of calibration and testing laboratories). This mandatory requirement has resulted in a continuous adaptation and development of analytical procedures. The aim of this study was to develop a method for semiquantitative screening of polychlorinated biphenyls in fish for human consumption. According to the Commission Decision 657/2002/CE, the detection capability, the precision, the selectivity-specificity, and applicability-ruggedness-stability were determined to validate the method. Moreover, trueness was verified. This procedure resulted in rapid execution, which allowed immediate and effective intervention by the local health authorities to protect the health of consumers. Finally, the procedure has been recognized by the Italian accrediting body, ACCREDIA.

Ion trap lC-MS/MS as a valid multi-method to determine trichothecenes and zearalenone in the food industry

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Suman ◽  
D. Catellani
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Ion Trap ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Fusarium Species ◽  
Multiple Reaction Monitoring ◽  
Negative Ion ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Industry Applications ◽  
Food Commodities ◽  
Set Up

In recent years the European Scientific Committee on Food has frequently expressed its opinion on Fusarium toxins, setting limits, regulations and guidelines in order to reduce their levels in raw materials and food commodities. Trichothecenes are known as DNA and mitochondrial metabolism inhibitors, representing the largest group (over 170 compounds) of Fusarium mycotoxins. Zearalenone (ZEA) is also produced by Fusarium species. It is found almost entirely in grains and has a mainly oestrogenic effect. Wheat-based products (such as bread and pasta) are the predominant source of deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV) intake, while the highest amounts of T-2 and HT-2 toxins were observed mainly in oat-based products. Therefore, food companies are progressively being forced to set up analytical methods in their laboratories for determining these kinds of toxins in an accurate, sensitive and rapid way. Following this issue, we set up a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-IonTrap-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of several types of A and B trichothecenes, together with ZEA, minimising the matrix effect by using specific fragmentation parameters in positive or negative ion modes and dedicated internal standards: quantification of trichothecenes was done with isotope substituted (13C15)-deoxynivalenol, while quantification of ZEA was performed by the contemporaneous use of Zearalanone (ZAN). Sample extraction was performed with acetonitrile/water mixtures, MycoSep® columns were used for fast and effective clean-up procedure and detection was carried out in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Spiking blank cereal samples, the method was validated in terms of detection limits (reaching µg/ kg levels), linearity, recovery, precision (RSD<5%) and accuracy. Method performances were finally tested on oat and durum wheat samples. In conclusion, ion trap instruments can currently provide high-throughput LC/MSn mycotoxin analysis where sensitivity, reliability and productivity coexist in an interesting and good compromise for food industry applications.

Changing the layout of farmers markets can affect cross-contamination

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karla M. Acosta ◽  
Zahra H. Mohammad ◽  
Heyao Yu ◽  
Kristen Kirkwood ◽  
Kristen Gibson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Fluorescent Compound ◽  
Farmers Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether the layout has an effect on cross-contaminations levels at farmers markets.Design/methodology/approachWe used social cognitive theory's triadic reciprocity model to investigate how influencing the environment could change the behaviors of farmers’ market consumers and reduce the risk of microbial cross-contamination using a Fluorescent Compound (FC). For this purpose, a 3 × 2 experimental between-subject factorial design was utilized in this study: three farmers market layouts (i.e. U-shaped [U-S], L-shaped [L-S] and square-shaped [S–S]) and two different set-ups per market (i.e. produce and non-produce vendors completely separated, and alternating produce and non-produce vendors). FC was utilized to simulate microbial contamination on the participants (n = 54) hands. The participants were allowed to walk through the layout for 3 min and touch items after which a total of 475 swab samples were processed and recorded for absorbance levels.FindingsThe results indicated that the cross-contamination level of the U-S market was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than those of the L-S and S–S markets. The best market layout and set-up based on the average levels of simulated cross-contamination were the U-S market, particularly with the A set-up, where produce and non-produce booths were scattered.Originality/valueThis study is the first to use the quantification of FC to identify the impact of a farmers’ market layout/design on cross-contamination levels. These results can be used to provide guidance to market managers on layout and design from a safety standpoint to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document