CAC/RCP 51-2003 Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Mycotoxin Contamination in Cereals, including Annexes on Ochratoxin A, Zearalenone, Fumonisins and Tricothecenes
1. The complete elimination of mycotoxin contaminated commodities is not achievable at this time. The elaboration and acceptance of a General Code of Practice by Codex will provide uniform guidance for all countries to consider in attempting to control and manage contamination by various mycotoxins. In order for this Code of Practice to be effective, it will be necessary for the producers in each country to consider the general principles given in the Code, taking into account their local crops, climate, and agronomic practices, before attempting to implement provisions in the Code. It is important for producers to realize that good agricultural practices (GAP) represent the primary line of defense against contamination of cereals with mycotoxins, followed by the implementation of good manufacturing practices (GMP) during the handling, storage, processing, and distribution of cereals for human food and animal feed.
2. The recommendations for the reduction of mycotoxins in cereals are divided into two parts: recommended practices based on Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP); a complementary management system to consider in the future is Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles.
3. This General Code of Practice contains general principles for the reduction of various mycotoxins in cereals that should be sanctioned by national authorities. National authorities should educate producers regarding the environmental factors that promote infection, growth and toxin production in cereal crops at the farm level. Emphasis should be placed on the fact that the planting, preharvest and postharvest strategies for a particular crop will depend on the climatic conditions of that particular year, taking into account the local crops, and traditional production conditions for that particular country or region. There is need to develop quick, affordable and accurate test kits and associated sampling plans that will allow testing of grain shipments without undue disruption of operations. Procedures should be in place to properly handle, through segregation, reconditioning, recall or diversion, cereal crops that may pose a threat to human and/or animal health. National authorities should support research on methods and techniques to prevent fungal contamination in the field and during harvest and storage.
