Mycotoxins in oats survey

Friday 6 February 2004

A survey carried out by the Food Standards Agency to investigate levels of mycotoxins in oat products suggests that the amounts in our diets are very low.

The survey was carried out to provide information on the levels of mycotoxins in oat products, such as porridge oats, biscuits, cereals and baby food. Mycotoxins are a group of toxic chemicals formed by some fungi that are widespread in certain cereal crops. They may pose long-term risks to people's health if they eat food that contains high levels.

Researchers bought 335 samples of a wide range of retail oat products at random from a variety of UK shops. No mycotoxins were found in 48% of these samples. The levels measured in the rest of the samples were generally extremely low, typically below the level of 10 micrograms/kg for each mycotoxin analysed.

There are currently no regulatory limits for these mycotoxins in oats in the UK. However maximum limits are under discussion in the EU and all the levels found in this survey are below the proposed EC limits.* The survey does not raise any safety concerns about oat products on sale to the public and so consumers do not need to change their diets as a result of the findings.

The Agency will continue to monitor for mycotoxins in these and other foodstuffs and is working with industry to ensure that levels remain low.

*Updated 11 February 2004