Local Authority Collaborative Survey Programme 2006/7

The Eurofins Public Analyst Service Survey Programme for 2006/7 is now closed.

Food Surveys

APR 06 - The Presence of Mycotoxins and Proportions of Ingredients in Muesli

Survey Leader – Gary Burton MChemA

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins, produced by the moulds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are known to be carcinogenic in animals. These can occur on peanuts, maize products and occasionally on sunflower seeds that have been kept in warm, humid conditions. The maximum levels permitted in certain foodstuffs are controlled by the Contaminants in Food Regulations 2005.

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin with carcinogenic, nephrotoxic, teratogenic, immunotoxic and possibly neurotoxic properties. Dried vine fruits have been found to be highly contaminated and are a significant source of Ochratoxin A for people with high levels of consumption, in particular children. Regulations setting maximum permitted levels for Ochratoxin A have been introduced this year.

The aim of the survey is to determine the amount of Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxins in the vine fruit and cereal content of muesli mixes and to compare the proportions of each ingredient with the amount declared in the labelling of the food.

MAY 06 - The Geographical Origin of Honey

Survey Leader – Joanne Hubbard MChemA

The Honey (England) Regulations 2003 came into force on 25th September 2003 and implement the provisions of EC Directive 2001/110. The Regulations prescribe definitions and reserved descriptions for certain specified honey products intended for human consumption and restricts the use of these descriptors to the products within its scope.

Although the provisions in the new Regulations are broadly in line with those of the 1976 Honey Regulations, which they replace, there are some differences in particular there is a new requirement to label the country or countries of origin where the honey was harvested.

There are strict rules about importing honey, and products containing honey into the UK. Each batch of imported honey must be accompanied by documentation to show that it has come from a country approved to export this particular type of honey and also that it has come from an establishment registered by the competent authority of the exporting country. It must also enter the EU through a Border Inspection Post where veterinary checks must be carried out.

JUNE 06 - Fat Content of Minced Beef

Survey Leader – Ron Ennion MChemA

This survey will follow the same format to that run in 2002 and repeated by the Food Standards Agency in 2004.

The aim of this survey will be to determine:

the range of fat content of samples labelled as “Minced Beef” and those with various qualifying names such as “lean” or “extra lean”
the authenticity of the claim “beef”
whether non-permitted bovine offal is present
the cost per kg of lean meat will also be calculated

SEPT 06 - Heavy Metals in Herbal Supplements / Borderline Medicines

Survey Leader – Jeremy Wootten MChemA

The Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (2004/24/EC) was published in the 'Official Journal of the European Union' on Friday 30 April 2004.

Under the terms of the Directive, the UK Government must now take measures to implement the Directive into UK law by 30 October 2005. This will lead to the introduction of a simplified registration scheme for manufactured over-the-counter (OTC) traditional herbal remedies in the second half of 2005. Existing products legally on the UK market at 30 April 2004 receive transitional protection in order to allow companies time to adapt to the new arrangements. The Directive requires this transitional protection to end by April 2011.

The adulteration of ethnic medicines with heavy metals is a significant international problem although some herbs naturally concentrate certain toxic elements. The Committee on Safety of Medicines has found, or is investigating reports of the use of, mercury, lead and arsenic in unlicensed Ayurvedic or traditional Chinese medicines. The inclusion of these metals, or salts containing them, poses a serious risk to public health. Consumers are advised to be alert to possible effects and follow the general safety advice if any are experienced whilst taking an herbal remedy.

The aim of the survey is to determine firstly whether herbal supplements / borderline medicines contain heavy metals and secondly to quantify the level of heavy metals detected.

NOV 06 - PAHs in Smoked Foods

Survey Leader – Kevin Wardle MChemA

On 1st April 2005 the Commission Regulation 2005/208/EC came into effect, imposing maximum levels for benzo (a) pyrene in different types of food.

Benzo (a) pyrene is used as a marker for the presence and effect of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are a group of different organic compounds.

PAHs are generated by the incomplete combustion of organic materials such as wood, oil and animal fats. Food can be contaminated by environmental PAHs present in air, soil or surface water. If PAH-containing particles are dispersed in surface water, trace levels will been found in marine and freshwater sediments. Filter-feeding bivalves such as mussels and oysters may accumulate particles contaminated by PAHs.

Food can also be contaminated during processing such as smoking, drying, frying, grilling, roasting and baking.

The aim of the survey is determine whether smoked foods are contaminated with PAHs and whether the level detected if any complies with the regulation.

JAN 07 - Probiotic Content of Food Products

Survey Leader – Duncan Arthur MChemA

Much of the scientific interest in the role of the intestinal micro flora in the prevention of human disease originated from the initial observations made by Metchnikoff back in 1907, “that the longevity and good health of Bulgarian peasants resulted from their consumption of dairy products fermented by lactobacilli”.

“Probiotic” micro organisms include strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, which are part of the normal flora of the human intestinal tract. Concern has been expressed by various bodies over the accuracy of health claims on probiotic products. Some claims are so vague that they are impossible to prove or disprove. There is also the question concerning the minimum effective dose, the lack of indication on the packaging to state the number of live micro organisms contained within the products, particularly the level at the end of shelf-life. Stating the particular strains would help to determine whether the organism can survive the gastric juices of the stomach and bile juice and reach the small intestine and colon where they work.

For yoghurt products, current legislation requires the producer to use two specific dairy cultures, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus in order to label fermented milk as “yoghurt”. Neither of which are endogenous to the normal human gut flora nor will survive the gastric acidity and bile salts within the gut. However, their destruction during digestion triggers the release of lactase which aids lactose absorption.

Fermented dairy products containing probiotic bacteria cannot strictly be called “yoghurt” and are often referred to as fermented, speciality milk products.

The aim of the survey is to determine whether claims that products contain probiotic micro organisms can be justified.

Non-Food Surveys

APR 06 - Microbiological Contamination of Toys

Survey Leader – Andrew Smith MChemA

Checking toys for microbiological purity. This is especially relevant to toys containing aqueous systems (water filled toys), toys containing cosmetics, play dough, Plasticine, finger paints, bubbles and gels.

These toys may be contaminated with bacteria that are capable of causing skin and other infections (e.g. Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus species) if not prepared hygienically and/or not properly preserved.

The aim of the survey is to monitor the extent of contamination of this type of toy and to develop a standard based on survey data.

AUG 06 - Mechanical Safety of Children’s Clothing (Test against BS7907 1997)

Survey Leader – Andrew Smith MChemA

A European harmonised standard on the Safety of Children’s Clothing, dealing with mechanical safety of slide fasteners, buttons and elastic fabrics.

The aim of the survey is to determine potential and mechanical hazards in children’s clothing, especially those designed for children under 3 years.

FEB 07 - Total Cadmium in Plastic in Toys (Test against Directive 91/338/EEC)

Survey Leader – Andrew Smith MChemA

Under Directive 91/338/EEC the EU has established a list of polymers in which cadmium pigments may not be used within the EU. It has been confirmed that Directive 88/378/EEC does apply to toys and this directive applies in addition to Directive 88/378/EEC covering toy safety.