Ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 in breakfast cereals marketed in Serbia - occurrence and health risk characterisation

Food Addit Contam Part B Surveill. 2017 Sep;10(3):176-184. doi: 10.1080/19393210.2017.1285358. Epub 2017 Feb 6.

Abstract

The present paper reports data on the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in breakfast cereals marketed in Serbia and interprets consequent dietary exposure. A total of 136 samples was collected in 2012 and 2015 and analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. OTA was detected in 20.7% of the samples in 2012 and 13.0% in 2015, with 3.6% and 0% of the samples above the EU maximum level, respectively. AFB1 was found in low concentrations in 11.1% of the samples collected in 2015, mainly corn based. Comparison of estimated exposure of Serbian adult population with respective toxicological reference values showed no concern for public health.

Keywords: Ochratoxin A; aflatoxins; cereals.

MeSH terms

  • Aflatoxin B1 / chemistry*
  • Breakfast*
  • Edible Grain / chemistry*
  • Food Analysis
  • Food Contamination*
  • Humans
  • Ochratoxins / chemistry*
  • Risk Factors
  • Serbia

Substances

  • Ochratoxins
  • ochratoxin A
  • Aflatoxin B1