Digital Re-print - July | August 2009

Feature: Mycotoxins
Feature title: Growing concerns over mycotoxins

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Growing concerns over
mycotoxins by Lucy de la Pasture, Pinstone Communications Ltd
N
o one involved in the
grain chain wants to see
another season like 2008,
when levels of mycotoxins in
wheat made trading conditions
difficult to say the least. So
what can be done to prevent a
reoccurrence? Lucy de la Pasture
of Pinstone Communications
Ltd in the UK finds out more
on this subject for GFMT
The quality of the British wheat crop is
always subject to the vagaries of our climate,
12 | July-august 2009
something that can’t be predicted and most
often causes problems with lodging, giving rise
to low specific weights and poor Hagbergs.
Last season very wet growing and harvest
conditions led to extensive early lodging, high
disease levels and a protracted harvest – all
factors which made 2008 break all records
for exceeding EU limits for mycotoxins,
deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone
(ZON) in raw grain.
So why do mycotoxins occur and what
can growers do to reduce the risk of them
occurring and make sure grain is fit for
human consumption?
Mycotoxins Feature Feature Mycotoxins
“Mycotoxins are produced by several
Wheat growers use a risk assessment “Crop debris is an important source of reduce the risk of FHB occurring is to apply
tool, developed by the Home-Grown inoculum and burying this by ploughing will a fungicide programme using products with
species of Fusarium fungi,” explains Dr
Cereals Authority (HGCA), which enables reduce risk,” explains Dr Edwards. some fusarium activity and culminating in a
Simon Edwards, fusarium specialist at Harper
them to make an entry on the grain passport “Conversely, fields which have had mini- robust T3 (or ‘earwash’) treatment.
Adams University College.
that accompanies each load on sale and mal cultivations
“This year risk of fusarium is currently
identify loads at risk and in need of further or are direct-
moderate to high, depending on rainfall in
testing. drilled will be
the area where crops are being grown,” says
Last season the system seriously broke at higher risk
Dr Edwards.
down and the passports failed to adequately of developing
“There is a lot of inoculum as a result of high Making the World¥s Food Safer Æ
give grain buyers an indication of mycotoxin fusarium and the
levels of fusarium head blight (FHB) last year.”
risk. mycotoxins they
Dr Edwards, explaining why this hap- produce.”
Reduce your
Rainfall and timing dependent
pened, says, “The HGCA risk assessment Late planted
The level of mycotoxins is highly depen-
was based on data from 2001 to 2007 and wheat follow-
mycotoxin risk
dent on rainfall over flowering and during
during this time average rainfall in the pre- ing potatoes
ripening. Many areas have had
harvest period was 20mm. and maize, a
rainfall over flowering this season,
“Last year actual rainfall was in the region known source
but this has been very variable.
of 100mm, with a substantial delay to harvest of inoculum, are
“Much of the wheat crop had
because of the wet weather in August and also factors that
finished flowering before recent Öby checking your
September - none of this was factored in increase risk. A
rainfall on the south coast, whilst sample with our
the model!” large percentage
late drilled wheat in Lincolnshire
So can grain millers and processors have of the national fast and convenient
and Yorkshire was just starting to
confidence in the risk assessment system in wheat crop was
flower so was more vulnerable to rapid test kits…
place after last season? planted late in
fusarium infection,” comments Dr
The HGCA have taken urgent action to 2008 as a result www.romerlabs.com
Edwards.
address the issue. of the protracted
“The west and the Midlands
“This season the risk assessment has been harvest – another
has also had plenty of rain over Öor by letting your
revised to take these factors in to account contributory fac-
the flowering period and generally samples be tested in
and enable growers to identify fields at par- tor to the high
the east of the country has had
much less.”
ticular risk which may then require testing,” levels of inoculum one of our accredited
reassures Dr Edwards. currently being laboratories around
Timing of rainfall is important
As well as rainfall, the risk assessment found in some
because as well as dictating the the globe.
scores other factors such as region, previous crops.
amount of fusarium infection likely in
crop, cultivation, variety and T3 fungicide. On a practi- www.quantas-analytics.com
crops, it also influences the type of
mycotoxin produced. DON myco- cal level, once a
toxin is produced from fusarium Reducing risk crop is planted
Romer Labs Diagnostic GmbH - Europe, Austria
Æ
infection during the flowering period, Growers can reduce much of the risk the only mea- Tel: +43 2272 615331-0, Fax: +43 2272 615331-11
so rainfall at this timing may mean of mycotoxins by taking measures before a sures grow- e-Mail: ofce-europe@romerlabs.com
higher risk of DON occurring. crop is planted. ers can take to distributed in the UK by: QuadraChem Laboratories Ltd.
Tel: 01342 820820, Fax: 01342 820825, E-Mail: enquiries@qclscientic.com
Grain &feed millinG technoloGy Grain &feed millinG technoloGy PREVIOUS PAGE NEXT PAGE July-august 2009 | 13
Ad_Grain&FeedMilling_GMI_7_09.indd 1 17.07.2009 12:14:33 Uhr

“The limits for
mycotoxins tighten as
you move further down
the food chain. Where
the limit for DON in
raw wheat is 1250 ppb,
for breakfast cereals the
limit is just 500 ppb”
FHB is caused by several species of
Fusarium that affect wheat and Microdochium
spp. but only the true Fusarium spp. produce
mycotoxins. In the UK this means that
the presence of FHB in a crop does not
necessarily indicate a risk from mycotoxins,
whether they’ll be produced depends on the
fungal species causing the infection.
One of the problems with fusarium
control is that it is not a disease that is ‘vis-
ible’ when treatment needs to be applied,
symptoms of head blight don’t show until the
wheat begins to ripen.
‘Crop Monitor’ is a system that provides
growers with real-time information about
the levels of fusarium infection and the
species of fungi which have been isolated
from samples in their growing region - useful
information for getting a ‘feel’ for the season
and influencing spray decisions.
14 | July-august 2009
Not all fungicides control
To complicate matters not all fungicides
will control true Fusarium spp.
Azoxystrobin from the strobilurin group
of fungicides, is renowned for keeping wheat
ears golden and bright but only controls
Microdochium spp. and not Fusarium spp.
To cover all the bases, T3 mixes must
contain triazoles or new approval Topsin
WG (thiophanate-methyl) to reduce the risk
of mycotoxins. And of the available active
ingredients only those containing prothio-
conazole, bromuconazole and thiophanate-
methyl go as far as claiming mycotoxin
reduction on the label.
Getting timing of T3 fungicides right is
crucial for maximum control of fusarium,
with best results achieved in the early flower-
ing period – from the onset of flowering to
50 percent anthesis (GS61-65).
Mycotoxins Feature
Procam agronomist Tom Scotson
explains that whereas T3 decisions used to
be a top-up for septoria and rust control,
things have definitely changed.
“Concerns with DON levels in milling
wheat and breakfast cereals, means we must
have a planned strategy to control fusarium,”
says Mr Scotson.
“Mycotoxins are a matter growers are
now taking very seriously.
“The T3 spray is no longer a case of
using up whatever fungicides are left in the
spray store!”
Useful additions to the armoury
With fungicide options limited for myco-
toxin reduction, Mr Scotson describes thio-
phanate-methyl as a useful addition to the
armoury this season, especially important
because it has a different mode of action to
prothioconazole, the industry standard for
control of FHB.
Even when every possible measure has
been taken to reduce risk sometimes the
weather has the last word! Rainfall later in
the season increases risk of ZON produc-
tion. And this was seen clearly last year
when ZON proved to be a real problem
for the first time and 29 percent of samples
exceeded the 100 ppb EU limit.
“Any delay in harvest has an impact on
ZON levels and after last seasons protracted
harvest, more samples exceeded the EU
limit for ZON than the limit for DON myco-
toxins (1250 ppb),” explains Dr Edwards.
“Many high ZON samples don’t make
milling specification as they tend to have
low Hagbergs and specific weights and are
therefore effectively ‘screened out’ and less
of an issue at mill intake.”
But this isn’t always the case, as suppliers
to breakfast cereal manufacturers found out
last season when initially load after load was
rejected.
Mycotoxins are found mostly in the bran
and, because this is the main fibre source in
breakfast cereals, bran is an essential ingredi-
ent! As grain is dried during processing to
approximately five percent moisture con-
tent the mycotoxins become concentrated,
meaning raw grain at intake needs to be well
below the limits already set.
And to further compound matters, the
limits for mycotoxins tighten as you move
further down the food chain. Where the
limit for DON in raw wheat is 1250 ppb,
for breakfast cereals the limit is just 500 ppb.
Faced with a problem that becomes worse
during processing and the implications of a
product recall, breakfast cereal manufactur-
ers were the first to introduce rapid testing
for DON in November 2008.
“Once we had the DON situation under
control, we identified issues with ZON for
Grain &feed millinG technoloGy
Feature Mycotoxins
the first time,” explains Weetabix’s Keith for grain producers, the costs associated
Turnbull. with load rejections is much higher.
“ZON appeared late and was a problem One of the problems with mycotoxins
in raw material supply but now testing is in is that they don’t occur in a homogenous
place for this as well.” way, one load can be high and another
low, yet they come from the same field.
Rapid testing Sampling is an area being closely looked
So is rapid testing here to stay? At least at by The Mycotoxin Stakeholder Group,
until the true picture for harvest 2009 has a cross-industry informal body who are
been established, believes Mr Turnbull. working to find a better sampling regime
“Now the industry is set to manage an than the HGCA and the official EU tech-
exceptionally bad season for mycotoxins. niques currently used.
The whole grain chain has the opportunity “Sampling remains an area of concern
to learn from it, make British farming as safe from the growers perspective,” explains
as possible, manage the risk in the crop and Simon Christensen, Frontier’s head of
come out stronger than before.” wheat trading.
And Martin Savage, Trade Policy Manager “They need to be confident that the tests
for the National Association of British and carried out at intake are accurate and that
Irish Millers, agrees rapid testing needs to the wheat imported also follows the same
stay in place for at least the first six weeks requirements from a testing and sampling
after harvest. regime to ensure a level playing field exists
“Food safety is paramount and the trade
need reassurance that the revised risk assess-
with foreign counterparts. But the message
about the importance of mycotoxins has
ment is working and that growers are com-
pleting the passports diligently. The introduc-
been understood by farmers.”
In all likelihood, 2009 harvest is not
tion of the mycotoxin legislation has made likely to be as bad as last season but the
growers legally responsible for food safety on potential remains for mycotoxin prob-
raw wheat for the first time,” he adds. lems to occur – but hopefully this season
Although rapid testing is an unwanted cost the industry is one step ahead!
Flour Milling Training
Seven Steps to Success Course Fees
– Hygiene, Health and Safety The cost per module is: £295
– Wheat and the Screenroom (as at 2009 – VAT at 15% where applicable)
– Mill Processes and Performance includes postage, textbook and exam registration
– Product Handling, Storage and Distribution
– Flour nabim Members: Discount £95 per module (£200)
– Power and Automation
Non-UK Companies: Discount £50 per module (£245)
– Flour Milling Management
• Enhance your • Internationally • Developed • Studied every
career prospects recognised for millers year by hundreds
and increase distance learning by industry of millers
potential programme professionals worldwide
7 Modular Courses provide millers with an essential understanding and
underpinning knowledge of the milling industry.
An indispensable tool for those new to the milling industry and for
21 Arlington Street
developing the skills of the competent miller.
London SW1A 1RN, UK
Dedicated tutor support given to every student, providing professional Tel: +44 (0) 20 7493 2521
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7493 6785
guidance throughout the course year. email: info@nabim.org.uk
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ure Mycotoxins
Feature Mycotoxins

the first time,” explains Weetabix’s Keith
Turnbull.
“ZON appeared late and was a problem
in raw material supply but now testing is in
place for this as well.”
Rapid testing
So is rapid testing here to stay? At least
until the true picture for harvest 2009 has
been established, believes Mr Turnbull.
“Now the industry is set to manage an
for grain producers, the costs associated
with load rejections is much higher.
One of the problems with mycotoxins
is that they don’t occur in a homogenous
way, one load can be high and another
low, yet they come from the same field.
Sampling is an area being closely looked
at by The Mycotoxin Stakeholder Group,
a cross-industry informal body who are
working to find a better sampling regime
than the HGCA and the official EU tech-

ADVERTISERS LINKS INFORMATION FOR ADVERTISERS - CLICK HERE

t growers use a risk assessment
veloped by the Home-Grown
Authority (HGCA), which enables
make an entry on the grain passport
ompanies each load on sale and
oads at risk and in need of further
eason the system seriously broke
d the passports failed to adequately
n buyers an indication of mycotoxin
exceptionally bad season for mycotoxins.
The whole grain chain has the opportunity
to learn from it, make British farming as safe
as possible, manage the risk in the crop and
come out stronger than before.”
And Martin Savage, Trade Policy Manager
for the National Association of British and
Irish Millers, agrees rapid testing needs to
stay in place for at least the first six weeks
after harvest.
“Food safety is paramount and the trade
need reassurance that the revised risk assess-
ment is working and that growers are com-
“Crop debris is an important source of reduce the risk of FHB occurring is to apply pleting the passports diligently. The introduc-
inoculum and burying this by ploughing will a fungicide programme using products with tion of the mycotoxin legislation has made
reduce risk,” explains Dr Edwards. some fusarium activity and culminating in a growers legally responsible for food safety on
“Conversely, fields which have had mini- robust T3 (or ‘earwash’) treatment. raw wheat for the first time,” he adds.
mal cultivations Although rapid testing is an unwanted cost
or are direct-
drilled will be
at higher risk
of developing
fusarium and the
mycotoxins they
Making the World¥s Food Safer Æ
niques currently used.
“Sampling remains an area of concern
from the growers perspective,” explains
Simon Christensen, Frontier’s head of
wheat trading.
“They need to be confident that the tests
carried out at intake are accurate and that
the wheat imported also follows the same
requirements from a testing and sampling
regime to ensure a level playing field exists
with foreign counterparts. But the message
about the importance of mycotoxins has
been understood by farmers.”
In all likelihood, 2009 harvest is not
likely to be as bad as last season but the
potential remains for mycotoxin prob-
lems to occur – but hopefully this season
the industry is one step ahead!

Flour Milling Training

dwards, explaining why this hap-
ays, “The HGCA risk assessment
produce.”
Late planted
Reduce your Seven Steps to Success Course Fees
d on data from 2001 to 2007 and wheat follow-
is time average rainfall in the pre-
eriod was 20mm.
ing potatoes
and maize, a mycotoxin risk – Hygiene, Health and Safety
– Wheat and the Screenroom
The cost per module is: £295

• Visit Romer Labs online • Visit nabim online

(as at 2009 – VAT at 15% where applicable)
year actual rainfall was in the region known source – Mill Processes and Performance includes postage, textbook and exam registration
m, with a substantial delay to harvest of inoculum, are
of the wet weather in August and also factors that – Product Handling, Storage and Distribution
Öby checking your nabim Members: Discount £95 per module (£200)
er - none of this was factored in increase risk. A – Flour
el!” large percentage sample with our
– Power and Automation Non-UK Companies: Discount £50 per module (£245)
n grain millers and processors have of the national fast and convenient
ce in the risk assessment system in wheat crop was – Flour Milling Management
rapid test kits…
er last season? planted late in
HGCA have taken urgent action to 2008 as a result www.romerlabs.com • Enhance your • Internationally • Developed • Studied every
he issue. of the protracted career prospects recognised for millers year by hundreds
season the risk assessment has been harvest – another

• Email Romer Labs • Email nabim

o take these factors in to account contributory fac-
Öor by letting your and increase distance learning by industry of millers
le growers to identify fields at par- tor to the high samples be tested in potential programme professionals worldwide
k which may then require testing,” levels of inoculum one of our accredited
Dr Edwards. currently being laboratories around 7 Modular Courses provide millers with an essential understanding and
ell as rainfall, the risk assessment found in some
her factors such as region, previous the globe. underpinning knowledge of the milling industry.
crops.
ivation, variety and T3 fungicide. On a practi- www.quantas-analytics.com
cal level, once a An indispensable tool for those new to the milling industry and for
21 Arlington Street
ng risk crop is planted developing the skills of the competent miller.
Romer Labs Diagnostic GmbH - Europe, Austria
Æ London SW1A 1RN, UK
ers can reduce much of the risk the only mea- Tel: +43 2272 615331-0, Fax: +43 2272 615331-11
oxins by taking measures before a sures grow- e-Mail: ofce-europe@romerlabs.com Dedicated tutor support given to every student, providing professional Tel: +44 (0) 20 7493 2521
anted. ers can take to distributed in the UK by: QuadraChem Laboratories Ltd. Fax: +44 (0) 20 7493 6785
Tel: 01342 820820, Fax: 01342 820825, E-Mail: enquiries@qclscientic.com
guidance throughout the course year. email: info@nabim.org.uk

feed millinG technoloGy July-august 2009 | 13 Grain &feed millinG technoloGy July-august 2009 | 15
Ad_Grain&FeedMilling_GMI_7_09.indd 1 17.07.2009 12:14:33 Uhr

29/07/2009 15:49 GFMT0904.indd 15 29/07/2009 15:49

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