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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Mycotoxin Prevention and Applied Microbiology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #241682
Title: Update on CODEX Committee on Contaminants in Foods & Proposed EU Regulations for Fumonisins

Author
item Kendra, David

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/18/2009
Publication Date: 6/18/2009
Citation: Kendra, D.F. 2009. Update on CODEX Committee on Contaminants in Foods & Proposed EU Regulations for Fumonisins [abstract]. Annual Corn Dry Millers Conference. p. 18.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Originally discovered and characterized in 1988, fumonisins are mycotoxins produced in maize by Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg (synonum F. moniliforme) (telomorph, Gibberella moniliformis) and Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima). Fumonisins are a structurally related family of 2-amino-12,16 dimethylpolyhdroxyeicosanes where the C14 and C15 hydroxyl groups are esterified with the terminal carboxyl group of propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid. To date, at least 18 fumonisin analogs have been identified and are classified into series A, B, C, and P based on their chemical ornamentation. The B-series, primarily fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) are the most commonly isolated natural analogs and are thought to be the most toxic. Fumonisin interfere with sphingolipid metabolism with varying phenotypic affects in animals and humans. In 1993, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluated the cancer risk of fumonisins to humans and classified them as group 2B (probably carcinogenic). In 2001, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) evaluated the available technical, biochemical, and toxicological data on fumonisins and developed a Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake. The committee also conducted a risk assessment based on occurrence data provided by member countries. The 2nd Session of the CODEX Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF) established an "electronic working group" to develop a discussion paper on fumonisins. This paper included revised and updated data on fumonisins concerning toxicology, sampling, analytical and residue data, intake levels, agricultural, technological and commercial aspects, risk management and public health issues. This paper was discussed at the 3rd Session of the CCCF in Rotterdam, Netherlands on March 23-27, 2009 and recommendations will be made at the 32nd Session of the CODEX Alimentarius Commission in Rome, ITALY, June 29th – July 4th, 2009. The U.S. supports new work on establishing maximum levels and developing a sampling plan for fumonisins in maize and maize-products.