Food News

We are pleased to announce that the AGROLAB Ibérica laboratory has successfully passed the audit carried out by the National Accreditation Body (ENAC) in accordance with the EN-ISO 17025 standard for the analysis of Alternaria toxins in multiple matrices by liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass/mass detector (HPLC-MS/MS), becoming the first laboratory in Spain to be accredited for this analysis and putting us at the forefront of European laboratories.

Among the most important fungal toxins (mycotoxins) from a public health point of view are the Alternaria toxins. They are produced by Alternaria species of fungi that cause diseases in many plants. They are the main contaminating fungi in wheat, sorghum and barley and also develop in oilseeds such as sunflower and rapeseed, as well as in tomatoes, apples, citrus fruits, olives and other fruits and vegetables. Alternaria species are widespread in both humid and semi-arid regions and due to their growth, even at low temperatures, they are also responsible for spoilage during transport and refrigerated storage.

Health risk for humans and animals

Alternaria species produce more than 70 phytotoxins, but only a small proportion of them have been chemically characterised and reported as mycotoxins for humans and animals. Some toxins, such as alternaroyl (AOH), alternaroyl monomethyl ether (AME), tenuazonic acid (TeA) and altertoxins (ATX), induce harmful effects in animals, including foetotoxic and teratogenic effects. Alternaria toxins are therefore of public health concern as they pose a serious risk to human and animal health.

In April 2022, Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/553 on the monitoring of the presence of Alternaria toxins in food was published, stating that Member States, in close cooperation with food business operators, should monitor the presence of Alternaria toxins in food, alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and tenuazonic acid (TeA), in particular in processed tomato products, paprika powder, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, nuts, dried figs and cereal-based foods for infants and young children.

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AGROLAB IBÉRICA laboratory complies with this Regulation by making available to the whole sector the highest quality guarantee certified by an independent entity that can be obtained. The accreditation of new tests is part of the AGROLAB GROUP's effort to improve in order to meet the needs of the market in relation to food safety and represents a recognition of the technical competence and effort of our professionals.

Please consult the scope of our services or contact our customer service for further information.

Author: Vanessa del Río (AGROLAB Iberica)