Mycotoxins

PARC Advances Integrative Risk Assessment and Provides Rapid Response Data to EFSA

In May 2026, the EU Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) announced new integrative mixture risk-assessment deliverables, expanded training for regulators, and Rapid Response data used by EFSA in its assessment of Alternaria toxins in food and feed. These scientific outputs do not create new legal obligations but signal a stronger evidence base and tools that could shape future EU chemical and food-safety policies, especially around mixture exposures, human biomonitoring and natural toxins.

15 May 2026, 17:45eu-parc.euEuropean Union

Plateforme SCA Publishes BuSCA No. 155 on Chemical Contaminants in Rice, Seafood and Fermented Foods

France’s Plateforme SCA has issued BuSCA No.155 summarising recent evidence of heavy metals, plasticisers, mycotoxins, antibiotic residues and marine ciguatoxins in rice, seafood, feed and fermented plant foods across several countries. The bulletin highlights exceedances of existing contaminant limits and emerging toxin signals that may warrant closer supplier oversight, product testing and risk assessment by food and feed operators to stay within regulatory tolerances and anticipate future scrutiny.

12 May 2026, 12:52plateforme-sca.frEuropean UnionSpainItalyGermanyBrazilGlobal

Czech CARC Reports 2025 DON Exceedances in Wheat Under New EU Limits

CARC’s 2025 monitoring of deoxynivalenol (DON) in Czech wheat found several samples exceeding the tightened EU mycotoxin limits now in force. The results highlight ongoing compliance and supply-chain risk for wheat and cereal-based products, underlining the need for targeted agronomic controls and vigilant testing in high-risk regions.

4 May 2026, 09:19carc.czCzechiaEuropean Union

UK Government Response to EFRA SPS Agreement Report Rejects Transition Period and Targets Mid‑2027 Start

In April 2026 the UK Government responded to Parliament’s SPS agreement report, confirming plans for a UK‑EU sanitary and phytosanitary agreement to take effect from mid‑2027 while rejecting a 24‑month transition period for affected agri‑food businesses. This fixes a relatively tight adjustment window and signals future dynamic alignment with EU rules on pesticides, mycotoxins, animal welfare and border controls, so exporters and supply chains should start planning now for mid‑decade regulatory convergence and new compliance expectations.

3 May 2026, 07:37publications.parliament.ukUnited KingdomEuropean Union

Aflatoxin B1 in Red Chili Powder From Syria — RASFF Notification 2026.3604

Germany issued a serious RASFF alert on 24 April 2026 after red chili powder from Syria was found to contain aflatoxin B1 at 64.0 ± 32.0 µg/kg, far above the EU maximum of 5 µg/kg, prompting recalls and destruction of the product in Germany. Food and ingredient suppliers into Germany and the wider EU should reassess mycotoxin controls, testing, and traceability for high-risk spices, particularly imports from similar origins.

30 Apr 2026, 06:38webgate.ec.europa.euEuropean UnionGermanySyria

Japan MAFF Consults on Draft Annex Update to Regulatory Science Research Plan for Safe Agricultural, Livestock and Fishery Products

Japan’s agriculture ministry is consulting on a draft annex updating its regulatory science research priorities for the safe supply of agricultural, livestock and fishery products, with comments due by 21 May 2026. The plan prioritises research on contaminants and hazards such as PFAS, microplastics, mycotoxins and AMR, signalling where future Japanese food safety monitoring, guidance and potential regulations are likely to concentrate.

26 Apr 2026, 16:56public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Denmark: Recall of Rømer Organic Sultana Raisins Due to Ochratoxin A

In April 2026, the Danish Food Authority ordered a nationwide recall of Rømer Organic Sultana raisins after finding excessive levels of the fungal toxin ochratoxin A. This targeted food-safety enforcement underscores the need for robust mycotoxin monitoring and supplier controls in dried fruit supply chains serving Danish and regional retail channels.

22 Apr 2026, 16:46foedevarestyrelsen.dkDenmark

Rwanda — Draft Standard DRS 635:2026 Fish Feed Premix — Specification

Rwanda has proposed draft standard DRS 635:2026 establishing mandatory compositional, contaminant, and labeling requirements for fish feed premixes. Manufacturers must align production and testing protocols with strict heavy metal and microbiological limits to ensure continued market access for aquaculture inputs.

5 Apr 2026, 18:41members.wto.orgRwanda

EFSA Opens Consultation on Velay Green Clay (1g599) Feed Additive for Dairy Animals

EFSA is reviewing the authorization of a new clay-based feed additive for dairy animals with a public consultation closing in March 2026. This development signals expanded options for mycotoxin management, requiring feed producers to monitor the final safety opinion for formulation and market access planning.

21 Mar 2026, 15:50open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

European Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/549 Renews DSM 11798 Feed Additive Authorisation

The European Union has extended the authorisation for the mycotoxin-reducing feed additive DSM 11798 through 2036, with new requirements starting April 2026. Manufacturers must update product labeling and workplace safety measures by late 2026 while navigating staggered sell-through periods for existing stocks.

19 Mar 2026, 12:40eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

Japan Food Safety Commission Schedules 63rd Mycotoxins Expert Panel Meeting on Ochratoxin A for 18 March 2026

Japan's Food Safety Commission is conducting a formal health risk assessment review for ochratoxin A in March 2026. This technical evaluation is a critical precursor to potential new or revised regulatory limits for mycotoxin contamination in food products.

12 Mar 2026, 07:19fsc.go.jpJapan

France Updates Lists of Official and Recognised Plant-Health Laboratories

France updated its official registry of accredited plant-health laboratories for pesticide residue and mycotoxin analysis on March 9, 2026. Companies must verify laboratory accreditations against specific official methods to ensure the validity of compliance data and prevent market access delays.

12 Mar 2026, 05:02agriculture.gouv.frFrance

EU RASFF Publishes Week 9 2026 Alerts On Food And Food-Contact Materials

EU RASFF issued 15 high-priority alerts in late February 2026 targeting chemical and microbiological contamination in food and food-contact materials. Increased enforcement against phthalate migration in paperboard and BPA-based coatings highlights the critical need for rigorous supplier verification and material testing for food-contact articles.

10 Mar 2026, 12:42bezpecnostpotravin.czEuropean Union

Czechia (SZPI) Flags Ergot Alkaloids Exceedance in Rye Flour from Mlýn Mirotice

Czech food authorities have issued an unsafe-food notice for rye flour exceeding legal limits for ergot alkaloids. This enforcement highlights increasing scrutiny on mycotoxin contamination in cereal products, requiring stricter batch testing and supplier quality controls to mitigate market access risks.

10 Mar 2026, 06:05potravinynapranyri.czCzechia

Germany BAuA Publishes Biomonitoring Study on Mycotoxin Exposure in Organic Waste Treatment Workers

A German federal study has confirmed that organic waste treatment workers experience elevated mycotoxin exposure, although current levels remain within established safety limits. These findings provide a scientific basis for future occupational exposure limits and may lead to stricter technical requirements for bioaerosol control in waste management facilities.

9 Mar 2026, 14:58baua.deGermany

Norway / Mattilsynet: Pluto Import AS Recalls 500 g Pistachio Kernels Due to Aflatoxin

Norway has initiated a recall of pistachio kernels following the detection of aflatoxin levels exceeding legal limits in March 2026. This enforcement action highlights the critical importance of robust contaminant testing and supply chain verification to mitigate product safety risks and avoid costly market withdrawals.

9 Mar 2026, 10:19mattilsynet.noNorway

UK COT Assesses Maternal Dietary Risk From Citrinin

UK food safety authorities have determined that current maternal dietary exposure to the mycotoxin citrinin does not pose a significant risk for kidney or reproductive toxicity. While no immediate regulatory changes are expected, identified data gaps regarding genotoxicity suggest a long-term trend toward stricter monitoring and potential future limit revisions.

6 Mar 2026, 12:42cot.food.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EFSA Launches 2026 Call for Chemical Contaminant Occurrence Data in Food and Feed

EFSA has opened its 2026 call for chemical contaminant data in food and feed with a primary submission deadline of June 30, 2026. This data directly shapes future EU risk assessments and regulatory limits, making proactive data sharing essential for anticipating and influencing upcoming market access restrictions.

4 Mar 2026, 15:32efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

AHDB Reports 2024 Cereal Contaminant Levels In UK Grain Monitoring Project

The UK’s 2024 cereal monitoring report highlights rising ergot alkaloid levels and specific mycotoxin exceedances in oats against tightening EU and UK safety standards. Businesses must strengthen supply chain due diligence and monitor regulatory divergence to mitigate risks from stricter EU maximum levels that currently exceed UK requirements.

3 Mar 2026, 19:33projectblue.blob.core.windows.netUnited KingdomEuropean Union

Switzerland: FDHA Corrects Fumonisin Limits in Contaminants Ordinance (VHK/OCont)

Switzerland has updated the maximum allowable limits for fumonisin contaminants in maize-based food products effective February 2026. Manufacturers must ensure immediate alignment with these revised safety thresholds to maintain market access and protect consumer health across all product categories.

3 Mar 2026, 08:25fedlex.admin.chSwitzerland