|
Because of the serious and widespread impact of aflatoxin contamination of food and feed materials, government agencies have been mandated to regulate various aspects of food and feed handling and marketing if contaminated with aflatoxin.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
The FDA regulates the interstate shipment of corn and action levels for aflatoxin contamination. The FDA does not have direct authority over corn for export or corn which remains solely and exclusively in intrastate commercial channels.
Office of the Texas State Chemist - Feed and Fertilizer Control Service:
The Office of the Texas State Chemist, Feed and Fertilizer Control Service, has regulatory authority over corn only after the presence of aflatoxin has been found in excess of 20 ppb. This decision is based on the ruling of the FDA that corn containing less than 20 ppb aflatoxin can move freely in interstate commerce. The Office also has regulatory authority over all grain and seed destined for wildlife feed.
Texas Department of Health:
The Texas Department of Health has intrastate responsibility for regulating aflatoxin in food-designated corn and milk.
FDA Aflatoxin Action Levels:
| Intended Use |
Maximum* |
Commodity |
| Humans |
0.5 ppb |
Milk |
| Dairy animals |
20 ppb |
Feed |
| Immature livestock |
20 ppb |
Feed |
| Immature poultry |
20 ppb |
Feed |
| Humans |
20 ppb |
Human food |
| Unknown destination |
20 ppb |
Undetermined |
| Breeding cattle |
100 ppb |
Feed |
| Breeding swine |
100 ppb |
Feed |
| Mature poultry |
100 ppb |
Feed |
| Sheep & goats |
100 ppb |
Feed |
| Finishing swine |
200 ppb |
Feed |
| Feedlot cattle |
300 ppb |
Feed |
* Maximum Aflatoxin Level
Regulations for Blending Aflatoxin-Contaminated Corn in Texas:
Aflatoxin-contaminated corn may legally be blended with less contaminated corn if the concentration of aflatoxin is not greater than 500 ppb prior to blending. The contaminated corn cannot be blended with corn containing greater than 20 ppb of aflatoxin. The blending process must reduce the aflatoxin concentration to 200 ppb or less, and then the blended corn can ONLY be used for feeder lot cattle. The blended grain can only be used in Texas and cannot enter interstate transport. Any attempts at blending must be preceded by a permit and verification by the Office of the Texas State Chemist (Tel. 979-845-1121).
Regulation for Ammoniation of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Corn in Texas:
Ammoniation is a process by which the aflatoxin-contaminated grain is treated with ammonia which de-toxifies the aflatoxin. Aflatoxin-contaminated corn may be legally ammoniated in Texas if the initial aflatoxin level does not exceed 1000 ppb. The ammoniation process must reduce the aflatoxin level to 200 ppb or less, and the ammoniated corn must be used only for feeder lot cattle. If it is reduced to 50 ppb or less, it can be used for deer corn. The ammoniated corn must be used in Texas and cannot enter interstate transport. Any attempts at ammoniation must be preceded by a permit and verification by the Office of the Texas State Chemist (Tel. 979-845-1121).
|
