2006, Volume X, Issue 1REGULATORY NEWSEfforts to harmonize international mycotoxin standards will continue at the upcoming meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission on April 24–28, 2006, in the Hague, the Netherlands. The high risk of aflatoxin contamination in tree nuts remains a particular focus of concern for the committee. Steps taken to reduce that risk include a revised uniform sampling plan for aflatoxin infection in almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and pistachios that would decrease the high level of uncertainty in test results. The proposed plan stipulates grinding a 20 kg sample from each lot in a vertical cutter mill, extracting a 100 g subsample, and quantifying the toxins with HPLC analysis. In keeping with the Codex policy of balancing the exporter’s risk of good lots rejected with the importer’s risk of bad lots accepted, the plan calls for both the accept/reject limit and the maximum legal limit of total aflatoxins to be set at 15 μg/kg. Also on the agenda is further discussion of a 2005 proposed draft appendix to the Code of Practice outlining additional control measures for Brazil nuts. These measures are designed to address harvest and processing conditions specific to the Brazil nut industry. While other major tree nut crops are harvested from orchards, Brazil nuts are typically gathered in the wild at thousands of sites scattered throughout Amazonian rainforest. The nuts mature and fall to the forest floor during the rainy season, where they are particularly vulnerable to insect and fungal infestation. These factors, together with intense heat and high relative humidity in the growing region, make the risk of Aspergillus contamination in Brazil nuts higher than that of most nut crops. The special measures, or Good Extractivistic Practices (GEP), in the proposed appendix include clearing areas of leftover pods and nuts before harvesting; harvesting as soon as most of trees have shed their pods; careful sorting and timely shipping; and proper storage and handling. Other agenda items include discussion papers on deoxynivalenol and on ochratoxin A in cocoa, coffee, and wine. More information on the Codex session is available on the committee’s website: www.codexalimentarius.net |