Management of mycotoxin contamination in food and feed in China

Abstract

Mycotoxins have a significant impact on human and animal health as well as economy and international trade. A number of steps have been taken to minimise mycotoxin contamination worldwide. China, one of the largest importers and exporters of food and animal feed, has implemented management strategies to protect consumers from mycotoxins and ensure safe trading of food and feed. The development and status of these management strategies are of interest to many stakeholders, however, no comprehensive review of these strategies has been published to date. The objective of this article is to review these strategies, including associated regulations, risk assessments, contamination monitoring practices, and processes for the supervision and management of associated production, distribution and consumption chains. There are 49 mycotoxin-related regulations in China; these include maximum levels for seven mycotoxins, standard methods for detecting 17 mycotoxins, and a code of practice for the prevention and reduction of mycotoxin contamination in cereals. Twelve mycotoxins found in daily food are covered by the Chinese contamination monitoring network. A new risk assessment organisation is required to systematically implement and manage food safety risk assessments in China. In addition, self-control by companies and daily supervisions and inspections by government departments are quite effective in preventing the consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated food and feed. This article provides information to all those who wish to understand more about the current safety management systems for combating mycotoxin contamination of food and feed in China.