Professional paper

MYCOTOXINS IN FOOD – LEGISLATION

Marina Palfi orcid.org/0000-0002-0401-9978 ; Podravka d.d., Istraživanje i razvoj, Koprivnica
Nada Knežević ; Podravka d.d., Istraživanje i razvoj, Koprivnica
Karolina Vrandečić ; Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek
Jasenka Ćosić orcid.org/0000-0002-8839-1813 ; Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Fakultet agrobiotehničkih znanosti Osijek

Abstract

Due to the growing awareness of consumers for their health, the food contamination with mycotoxins has become an important topic for both consumers and subjects in the food business and academic and Professional public. Apart from the adverse effects to the health of people and animals, it can also have a significant negative economic effect. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of toxicogenic fungi, most often Fusarium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria. They are very stable compounds which remain in raw Materials and animal products and as such present a major issue for the food industry. In order to protect the health of consumers and animals, the European Union has one of the most stringent food safety standards system in the world. In order to prevent placing the food contaminated with mycotoxins on the market of the European Union, it is essential and necessary to keep the public informed on the dangers and risks connected to the presence of mycotoxins in food and feed. A rapid response system for food and feed (RASFF) has been set up at the European Union level, which is used by member states to Exchange information on mycotoxins, as well as any other information on food and feed related risks. The RASFF system enables all EU member states to take coordinated measures in order to protect the consumers’ health. Subjects in the food business are obligated to perform internal controls regarding the assessment of hazard as well as allow competent authorities to continuously monitor and sample food for the purpose of official control. Quality and healthy raw materials is the quickest and economically the most viable path for the food industry to fulfil all relevant legislation and thus safeguard the consumers’ health. In order to avoid possible negative effects of mycotoxins on health, it is essential to perform organized food control and take preventive measures in production and warehousing of plant and animal products.

Keywords

mycotoxins; legislation; food safety; health

Hrčak ID:

240792

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/240792

Publication date:

1.7.2020.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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