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Čapla J, Zajác P, Čurlej J, Benešová L, Jakabová S, Fikselová M, Bobková A. Analysis of data from the rapid alert system for food and feed for the country-of-origin Slovakia for 2002-2020. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23146. [PMID: 38163176 PMCID: PMC10756971 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) plays a pivotal role in regulating food safety in the European Union by enabling the competent authorities in each Member State to issue warnings for removing unsafe or illegal items from the market. This article undertakes a comprehensive analysis of RASFF data on Slovak food from 2002 to 2020, to investigate the trends in notifications, actions executed, hazard categories, and product categories within the food industry. Our scrutiny of the RASFF data revealed fluctuations in the counts of alerts and information notifications across years, indicating periods of heightened hazard detection and enhanced transparency within the system. Various measures, including destruction, recall, notification, and prohibition, were employed to address these hazards and ensure the safety and compliance of food products. The hazard categories exhibited sporadic patterns, underscoring the necessity for ongoing surveillance and regulatory interventions. Specific product categories, such as dietetic foods, food supplements, and fortified foods, registered higher incidences of hazards in specific years, implying the need for intensified safety precautions. These findings highlight the importance of sustained efforts in maintaining food safety and managing risks within the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Čapla
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949-76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Peter Zajác
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949-76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Čurlej
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949-76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Benešová
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949-76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Silvia Jakabová
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949-76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Martina Fikselová
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949-76 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Alica Bobková
- Institute of Food Sciences, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949-76 Nitra, Slovakia
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Pigłowski M, Niewczas-Dobrowolska M. Hazards reported on food of plant origin in the Rapid Alert System for Foodand Feed ( RASFF) from 1997 to 2021 and their occurrence, prevention and reduction. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2024; 41:91-104. [PMID: 38166161 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2023.2299679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Between 1997 and 2021 notifications for foods of plant origin covered 44.6% of all notifications in the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). A two-way joining cluster analysis for notifications on plants reported in the RASFF in 1997-2021 was carried out. The following variables were considered: hazard, product category and country of origin in relation to year of notification. In the period studied mainly mycotoxins, pesticide residues and pathogenic micro-organisms were reported. The most frequently notified product categories were nuts and seeds, fruit and vegetables and herbs and spices. The submitted products originated from Asian, African and South-American countries. The study findings were followed by a literature analysis outlining the occurrence and prevention and reduction possibilities of the mentioned hazards, which can be used in these countries. Attention was drawn to the need to carry out controls at EU border inspection posts, monitor and update hazard limits and improve the rapid exchange of information and response to detected hazards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Pigłowski
- Department of Quality Management, Faculty of Management and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Magdalena Niewczas-Dobrowolska
- Department of Quality Management, Institute of Quality Sciences and Product Management, College of Management and Quality Sciences, Kraków University of Economics, Kraków, Poland
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Papapanagiotou EP. Serious Alert and Border Rejection Notifications on Food in the EU RASFF. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8110279. [PMID: 34822652 PMCID: PMC8623392 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8110279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The serious alert and border rejection notifications on food from the European Union Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (EU RASFF) database were used to determine their lag phases (from sampling to notification dates). More specifically, 4503 serious alert notifications on food were used to calculate the percent (%) share of various lag phases in an overall fashion (for all EU RASFF Member States collectively examined) as well as for the top-three Member States (in notification numbers), in each one of seven hazard categories. The same procedure was followed for 5236 serious border rejection notifications in each one of five hazard categories on food. The lag phases calculated revealed a state of nonharmonization (in lag phases percent shares) both overall and among the top-three Member States, and in the same MS in various hazard categories in serious alert but less pronounced in serious border rejection notifications. Thus, a “Performance Effectiveness Reporting (PER)-50/30” indicator (over 50% of notifications being notified to the RASFF within 30 days of sampling) was proposed for both types of serious notifications, and its application herein has revealed volatility in performance effectiveness reporting among the top-three EU RASFF Member States in the hazard categories. Actions to harmonize this inconsistency should be pursued in the context of safeguarding public health, aiming at the fastest possible risk management and risk communication of serious contamination incidents on food. Finally, a proposal of an “RASFF country profile” is hereby proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias P Papapanagiotou
- Laboratory of Animal Food Products Hygiene-Veterinary Public Health, Department of Hygiene and Technology of Food of Animal Origin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Papapanagiotou EP. Serious Notifications on Food Contact Materials in the EU RASFF. Vet Sci 2021; 8:vetsci8040056. [PMID: 33805387 PMCID: PMC8065728 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8040056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Serious alert and border rejection notifications on food contact materials (FCM) retrieved from the RASFF database were analyzed for the first time regarding the period 2012–2019. The findings indicate that China was the main transgressor country for both types of notifications. Official controls were responsible for most FCM serious alerts (91.78%), and border rejection (90.82%) notifications. Another novelty proposed herein, is the criterion for “lag phases” (time from sampling to notification dates). Overall percentage distributions of lag phases, for all RASFF Member States, for the intervals of 0–50 days and 51–≥101 days, were 25.09% and 67.87% for serious alert notifications and 65.21% and 29.34% for serious border rejection notifications. Differences in percent shares of lag phase intervals were observed between the top-four notifying countries, indicating a lack of harmonization in timely reporting of serious alert and border rejection notifications for FCM. Migration of primary aromatic amines and of metals were the most frequently notified hazards overall in the period of analysis. A decreasing trend is observed in the two more recent biannual averages of serious alert notifications for primary aromatic amines and metals, while decreasing for metals but increasing for primary aromatic amines in serious border rejection notifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias P Papapanagiotou
- Laboratory of Animal Food Products Hygiene-Veterinary Public Health, Department of Hygiene and Technology of Food of Animal Origin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Pigłowski M. The Intra-European Union Food Trade with the Relation to the Notifications in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18041623. [PMID: 33567732 PMCID: PMC7915521 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
About three-quarters of food exports from European Union (EU) countries goes to the common market in which the free movement of products is ensured. Therefore, it is important to examine from which EU countries the food is exported, what food products they are, and what hazards may be present in these products. The data for research were obtained for 1999–2018 from the Eurostat database (according to the Standard International Trade Classification—SITC) and the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) database. Then, cluster analysis was performed using joining (tree clustering) and two-way joining methods. The main food exporters were the following countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom. They exported: cereals, fruits and vegetables, beverages and feeding stuff (in quantitative terms) and fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, and cereals (in terms of value). In turn, the most frequently notified hazards in food originating from these countries were: pathogenic micro-organisms, microbial contaminants, metals, composition, foreign bodies, allergens, and pesticide residues. The increase in the number of alert notifications in the RASFF is particularly noticeable in recent years. The results of the research may be useful for activities related to food traceability, changes in the European law, and encouraging the use of extensive methods in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Pigłowski
- Department of Quality Management, Faculty of Management and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, Morska 81-87 Str., 81-225 Gdynia, Poland
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Abstract
The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), where competent authorities in each Member State (MS) submit notifications on the withdrawal of unsafe or illegal products from the market, makes a significant contribution to food safety control in the European Union. The aim of this paper is to frame the potential challenges of interpreting and then acting upon the dataset contained within the RASFF system. As it is largest cause of RASFF notifications, the lens of enquiry used is mycotoxin contamination. The methodological approach is to firstly iteratively review existing literature to frame the problem, and then to interrogate the RASFF system and analyze the data available. Findings are that caution should be exercised in using the RASFF database both as a predictive tool and for trend analysis, because iterative changes in food law impact on the frequency of regulatory sampling associated with border and inland regulatory checks. The study highlights the variability of engagement by MSs with the RASFF database, influencing generalisability of the trends noted. As importing countries raise market standards, there are wider food safety implications for the exporting countries themselves. As this is one of the first studies articulating the complexities and opportunities of using the RASFF database, this research makes a strong contribution to literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louise Manning
- School of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, UK
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Pigłowski M. Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Microorganisms in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:E477. [PMID: 30736316 PMCID: PMC6388125 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16030477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The most frequently notified pathogenic microorganisms in the RASFF in 1980⁻2017 were Salmonella sp., Listeria, Escherichia and Vibrio, whereas, among the notified non-pathogenic microorganisms were unspecified microorganisms, Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella sp. and Coliforms. Microorganisms were reported mainly in poultry meat, meat, fish, molluscs, crustaceans, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, nuts, milk, cereals (in food) and in feed materials and pet food (in feed). The number of notifications decreased at the turn of 2005 and 2006, but has steadily increased since then. The notification basis were official controls, border controls and company's checks. Products were notified mainly by Italy, France, United Kingdom, Germany and Netherlands. The reported products originated from Brazil, European Union countries and India, Thailand and Vietnam. The notification types were alerts, information and border rejections. The distribution status was often not specified or distribution on the market was possible. The risk decision was usually not made. Products were re-dispatched, import was not authorised or products were withdrawn from the market, destroyed and recalled from the market. Proper cooperation within the framework of the RASFF can contribute to shaping public health law and reducing outbreaks associated with microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Pigłowski
- Department of Commodity and Quality Management, Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, Morska 81-87 Str., 81-225 Gdynia, Poland.
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Abstract
Food safety is of fundamental importance for the food processing industry, food retailers and distributors, and competent authorities because of its potentially direct impact on the health of consumers. Next to the prevention of microbiological, chemical, and physical hazards, increasing efforts are currently made to combat risks associated with food fraud or food authenticity. Food safety management systems nowadays comprise food safety, food defense, and food fraud prevention measures, trying to cope with the increasing complexity and globalization of the food supply chains. Future digital opportunities include the prediction of food safety and food authenticity issues by handling structured and unstructured data retrieved from various sources and origins to ensure the health of consumers and to minimize economical losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Fritsche
- Department of Safety and Quality of Milk and Fish Products, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food , Max Rubner-Institut , Hermann-Weigmann-Straße 1 , 24103 Kiel , Germany
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Pigłowski M. Heavy Metals in Notifications of Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:E365. [PMID: 29461471 PMCID: PMC5858434 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15020365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metals represent the fourth most often notified hazard category in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) from 1980-2016. The goal of the study was to examine the similarities in notifications of particular heavy metals within the RASFF year, product category, notifying country, country of origin, notification basis, notification type, distribution status, risk decision, and action taken, taking into account the particular product type, such as food, food contact material, and feed. The data originated from the RASFF database. Cluster analysis on pivot tables was applied using joining and two-way joining methods. Most notifications concerned food, in which the highest number were related to mercury, cadmium, chromium, lead, arsenic, and nickel. Notifications were mainly related to fish and food contact materials, in addition to fruits and vegetables, seafood, and dietetic food. The number of notifications decreased in 2015 and 2016. The majority of products were notified by Italy, Spain, Germany, and France. The notified products originated mainly from China and Spain. The notification was usually based on official controls on the market, as well as border controls. The notification types were mainly information, alert, and border rejections. Products were not frequently distributed due to distribution restriction to the notifying country or the possibility of distribution to the market. A risk decision was not usually made. The taken actions included re-dispatch of products, withdrawal from the market, or destruction. The data on heavy metals from the RASFF database can help European and national authorities in shaping public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Pigłowski
- Department of Commodity and Quality Management, Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Quality Science, Gdynia Maritime University, Morska 81-87, 81-225 Gdynia, Poland.
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Papapanagiotou EP. Foodborne Norovirus State of Affairs in the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed. Vet Sci 2017; 4:E61. [PMID: 29186840 PMCID: PMC5753641 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci4040061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The European Union Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (EU RASFF) database is an invaluable instrument for analyzing notifications involving norovirus in food. The aim of this work was to carry out a thorough research of the alert and border rejection notifications submitted in the RASFF database from its onset until 31 August 2017. Some conclusions of interest were: (i) Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway have contributed the majority of alert notifications as notifying countries, (ii) France and Serbia have been cited more often in alert notifications as countries of origin, (iii) Italy and Spain have submitted the majority of border rejection notifications, (iv) Third Countries implicated more frequently in border rejection notifications for norovirus in bivalve molluscs were Vietnam and Tunisia, whereas in fruits and vegetables were China and Serbia, (v) "risk dispersion" from norovirus-contaminated food was narrow since, in just over half of all alert notifications and all of the border rejection notifications, only up to three countries were involved, and (vi) both raw (oysters and berries) and cooked (mussels) food products can present a health risk to consumers. The information retrieved from the RASFF database on norovirus-contaminated food could prove helpful in the planning of future norovirus risk analysis endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias P Papapanagiotou
- Laboratory of Animal Food Products Hygiene-Veterinary Public Health, Department of Hygiene and Technology of Food of Animal Origin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Abstract
Every year millions of people are affected and thousands of them die due to infections and intoxication as a result of foodborne outbreaks, which also cause billions of dollars' worth of damage, public health problems, and agricultural product loss. A considerable portion of these outbreaks is related to fresh produce and caused by foodborne pathogens on fresh produce and mycotoxins. Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak, occurred in Germany in 2011, has attracted a great attention on foodborne outbreaks caused by contaminated fresh produce, and especially the vulnerability and gaps in the early warning and notification networks in the surveillance systems in all around the world. In the frame of this paper, we reviewed the most common foodborne pathogens on fresh produce, traceback investigations of the outbreaks caused by these pathogens, and lastly international early warning and notification systems, including PulseNet International and Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, aiming to detect foodborne outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Yeni
- b Department of Earth System Sciences , Middle East Technical University , Ankara , Turkey
| | - S Yavaş
- a Department of Food Engineering , Middle East Technical University , Ankara , Turkey
| | - H Alpas
- a Department of Food Engineering , Middle East Technical University , Ankara , Turkey.,b Department of Earth System Sciences , Middle East Technical University , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Y Soyer
- a Department of Food Engineering , Middle East Technical University , Ankara , Turkey
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Kononiuk AD, Karwowska M. Meat and meat products – analysis of the most common threats in the years 2011-2015 in Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed ( RASFF). Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 2017; 68:289-296. [PMID: 28895672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The key tool used in the European Union in order to eliminate the risks associated with the consumption of potentially hazardous food is RASFF - Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed Safety. The RASFF was established to increase accountability and strengthening cooperation between states of the European Union in the field of food safety control. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore the trends and temporal and spatial distribution of notifications on food safety hazards between January 2011 and December 2015 with a special emphasis on meat and meat products on the basis of notification from RASFF. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study analyzed notifications on the annual reports of the RASFF published by the European Commission and requests added to the portal RASFF in the period 01.01.2011 - 31.12.2015 on the category of “meat and meat products (other than poultry) and “poultry meat and poultry meat products”. Analysis included detailed information on each notification, such as the classification and date, hazard category, notifying country, country origin. RESULTS The most common classifications of notification were ‘alert’ and ‘border rejection’. Generally, basis of this notifications were ‘company’s own check’ and ‘official control on the market’. Pathogenic microorganisms were the most often hazard of category in which the higher number of notifications concerned with Salmonella spp. CONCLUSION Alert notification which is the most dangerous for consumers were the most common type of classification for notifications on ‘meat and meat product’ category. The most of notifications in category ‘poultry meat and poultry meat products’ were the result of border control. Pathogenic microorganisms were the reason for the huge number of notifications in studied product categories. Many of notifications were associated with products which origin countries were outside RASFF member states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna D. Kononiuk
- University of Life Science, Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Meat Technology and Food Quality, Lublin, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Karwowska
- University of Life Science, Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Meat Technology and Food Quality, Lublin, Poland
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Marin S, Ramos AJ, Cano-Sancho G, Sanchis V. Mycotoxins: occurrence, toxicology, and exposure assessment. Food Chem Toxicol 2013; 60:218-37. [PMID: 23907020 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 852] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mycotoxins are abiotic hazards produced by certain fungi that can grow on a variety of crops. Consequently, their prevalence in plant raw materials may be relatively high. The concentration of mycotoxins in finished products is usually lower than in raw materials. In this review, occurrence and toxicology of the main mycotoxins are summarised. Furthermore, methodological approaches for exposure assessment are described. Existing exposure assessments, both through contamination and consumption data and biomarkers of exposure, for the main mycotoxins are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Marin
- Food Technology Dept., UTPV-XaRTA, Agrotecnio Center, University of Lleida, Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain
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Abstract
According to EFSA's Founding Regulation, the Authority is required to "undertake action to identify and characterise emerging risks" in the field of food and feed safety. EFSA provides scientific advice to the risk manager, at both European and Member State level, for the identification of risks present in the food chain. In the area of currently unrecognised but potentially significant risks for public health, EFSA has set up a dedicated unit on emerging risks (EMRISK). Through the identification of drivers of emerging risks, EFSA also intends to anticipate future risks derived from changes in current food/feed production practices or factors impinging on food/feed production or changes in human exposure through food consumption. EFSA aims to establish a data monitoring capacity, data filtering methodology and networking structures to identify emerging risks and drivers of emerging risks in a timely fashion and to communicate these to the risk manager. To date, the first step of this process (data monitoring) is in place. The following steps, that is, filtering and communication, are being rapidly established. Whilst the current data sources monitored are limited, they have been sufficient to enable the elaboration of the procedures for the next steps in the emerging risks identification process. As more data sources become accessible, the process will become more effective. All processes should be in place by mid -2010 and reported on in EFSA's first annual report on emerging risks in 2011. By the end of the second year of operation (2012), the soundness and utility of this approach will be given an initial review.
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