New maximum levels for deoxynivalenol (DON) in food

: Published: 07 May 2024

With Regulation (EU) 2024/1022, which came into force on 29 April 2024 and will apply from 1 July 2024, the revision of the maximum quantities was completed.

Deoxynivalenol occurs as a metabolic product of various fungi of the genus Fusarium, particularly in cereals (especially wheat and maize).

The mycotoxin from the type B trichothecene family can lead to chronic illnesses in humans and animals, e.g. weaken the immune system, even when ingested in small quantities. DON can also have a mutagenic and carcinogenic effect. For this reason, maximum levels for food and animal feed have been set in the EU.

These were revised by the EU Commission on the basis of new studies and newly regulated in the above-mentioned regulation.

Annex 1 of the Regulation has been amended as follows:

Product category	MRL from 1.7.24 in µg/kg	Remarks
1.4.1 Unprocessed cereal grains except products listed in 1.4.2 and 1.4.3 „placed on the market for first-stage processing”	1000	Except unprocessed maize grains intended for processing by wet milling and except rice.The maximum level applies to unprocessed cereal grains placed on the market with a view to the first stage of processing ⁽⁶⁾.
1.4.2 Unprocessed durum wheat grains and unprocessed maize grains	1500	Except for unprocessed maize grains for which it is clear, for example from the labelling or the designation, that they are intended exclusively for use in a wet milling process (starch extraction). The maximum content applies to unprocessed durum wheat grains and unprocessed maize grains that are placed on the market with regard to the first processing stage ⁽⁶⁾.
1.4.3 Unprocessed oat grains with husk	1750	The maximum level applies to unprocessed oat grains with husks placed on the market with a view to the first stage of processing ⁽⁶⁾. The maximum level applies to the oat grains including husks that are not consumed.
1.4.4 Cereals placed on the market for the final consumer, maize for popping and popcorn	750	Except rice.
1.4.5 Milling products of cereals with the exception of products listed in 1.4.6	600	Except ground rice products.
1.4.6 Milling products of maize
1.4.6.1 Milling products of maize placed on the market for the final consumer	750
1.4.6.2 Milling products of maize not placed on the market for the final consumer	1000
1.4.6.3 Pre-cooked polenta ready-to-eat	250
1.4.7 Bakery wares, cereal snacks and breakfast cereals	400	Except rice products. Including small bakery wares.
1.4.8 Pasta	600
1.4.9 Baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children ⁽³⁾	150	Except rice products. The maximum level applies to the dry matter ⁽⁵⁾ of the product as placed on the market.
1.4.10 Food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children ⁽³⁾	150	Except rice products. The maximum level applies to the dry matter ⁽⁵⁾ of the product as placed on the market.

The footnote texts can be found in the regulation.

YOUR PLUS: The AGROLAB laboratories have decades of experience in the analysis of cereals and cereal products. The determination of mycotoxins in food and animal feed using state-of-the-art LC MS/MS methods is part of our routine range of services.

Author: Dr. Frank Mörsberger

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