Ochratoxin A in Maize: Why Europe Can’t Afford to Lower Its Guard

In recent years, ochratoxin A (OTA) has come under increased scrutiny by European food safety authorities, with numerous notifications in the RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed). Among the most notable cases, one from 2022 concerned the presence of high levels of OTA in maize flour intended for human consumption, reported in Poland (see RASFF notification no. 2022.5778). Although corn is not among the most affected commodities, the few reported cases show contamination level exceeding the regulatory limit.

The presence of mycotoxins such as OTA in food is a growing concern for food safety. These situations highlight the importance of constant monitoring of mycotoxins in cereals, in order to ensure compliance with legal limits and protect consumer health (REGULATION (EU) 2023/915).

In routine analyses, OTA levels in maize often fall below regulatory limits, which can lead to reduced attention. However, given that positive results are rare but can indicate extremely high contamination, this analysis remains critical.

✅ Our Services for Mycotoxin Monitoring

In this context, the MA5600 Proficiency Test (PT multicontaminated for mycotoxins in maize flour), organized by Test Veritas for the Round of June 2025, represents a strategic tool for laboratories wishing to evaluate their analytical performance for the detection of mycotoxins in maize, including ochratoxin A

PT for Afla B/G, Fumonisins, Ochratoxin A, DON and ZEN in maize
code MA5600 – Round of June

• 📦 Shipping date: June 16th 2025
• Test Material: 1 sample x 80g for confirmatory methods or 1 sample x 40g for screening methods.
• Molecules under study: aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, ochratoxin A, DON and ZEN. The sample is naturally contaminated with 9 different mycotoxins. The presence of aflatoxin B1 is guaranteed.
• Indicative concentrations: aflatoxins B/G <50 ppb; fumonisine <6ppm; ochratoxin A <30 ppb; DON <6 ppm; ZEN <500ppb.
• 💰 Participation fee: €780,00 for confirmatory methods or €630,00 for screening methods. Partial participation is also available at a reduced fee, in case only some analytes are of interest.

📌 Why choose this PT? 📌

• One single registration for all the molecules under study: by registering for MA5600, you receive one single test material naturally contaminated with all the analytes listed above.
• Flexible registration options: choose between convenience packages or partial participation, depending on the families of mycotoxins relevant to your work.
• Naturally contaminated test material (incurred): the laboratory must prefer incurred Test Materials instead of spiked ones, because only with naturally contaminated samples the extractive capability of the method can be taken into account.
• It is possible to submit 2 sets of results, with just one subscription you can receive in the Final Report the evaluation of 2 laboratory technicians, or 2 different techniques (depending on the type of partcipation purchased – screening/confirmatory).
• International PT with broad participation: in 2024, the multi-mycotoxin PT in maize counted over 65 participants from all over the world.
• Separate evaluation data for screening and confirmatory methods, with the assigned value deriving only from quantitative confirmatory results. This feature of our PTs respects the requirement of UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010 to use fit-for-purpose methods of evaluation, makes the assigned value more reliable and the assessment more valid. Even if you are using a screening method, the PT simulates what you would do in the routine (comparing your results with confirmatory ones). The semi-quantitative (< or >) screening results receive evaluations provided with dedicated criteria. The quantitative screening and confirmatory results are evaluated through z-score.
• Even if you are evaluating a screening method, the PT simulate what you would do in your routine (comparing your results with the confirmatory ones).
• 🔎 Progetto Trieste is an EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010 accredited PT scheme and Test Veritas has over 25 years of experience as a Proficiency Testing provider.

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