In GMP+ BA4 Minimum requirements inspection and analysis the chapter with requirements for the sampling and analysis of Aflatoxin B1 (2.3) has changed.
The first change is the protocol – included in this chapter - for the analysis of Aflatoxin B1 in maize harvested before or in 2014. This protocol has been removed from GMP+ BA4. It can be assumed that there is no longer any maize on the market, harvested in 2014 or before. Because of this, there no longer is any reason to have a monitoring protocol for these products.
Secondly, the link has been added to the existing protocol for monitoring of Aflatoxin B1, which can also be found individually on the GMP+ Portal. A clarification thereof is also included in the GMP+ BA4.
Finally, the decision has been made to include the existing protocol for Aflatoxin B1 monitoring in feed materials (for use in feed) for dairy cattle in a new chapter, 2.4. This was done to prevent an excessive number of paragraphs in the document.
a. Sampling method in storage sites (NEW)
If sampling takes place in storage sites (such as flat store warehouses) and the entire batch is not accessible for sampling, it is permitted to follow an alternative sampling method. This alternative sampling method applies to the risk categories ‘High’ (see paragraph 2.3.6.2.1) and ‘Medium’ (see paragraph 2.3.7.2.2). If the alternative sampling method is applied, the participant must include all available analysis results (of all sampling moments) with the batch.
b. Changes in risk profile harvest countries maize
As a result of the evaluation of the available analysis results of Aflatoxin B1 in maize GMP+ International adjusted the risk profile for Aflatoxin B1, together with other accepted scheme holders. For Canada, the Czech Republic and the Ukraine, this means that the risk is changed from ‘Medium’ to ‘Low’. For Russia this means that the risk changes from ‘Medium’ to ‘High’.
The periodic evaluation of the country classification is carried out based on analysis results that GMP+ FSA certified companies must upload to the GMP+ Monitoring database, and is based on the results received by the other collaborating scheme holders. The assessment of the analysis results is carried out based on the criteria established in consultation with these scheme holders. In practice, this evaluation work method has proven to be a good method for the short-term anticipation of current risks.
The ad-hoc GMP+ Workgroup Aflatoxin B1 has approved the proposal for adjustment. The changed protocol takes effect on January 9th 2017.
The results justify the adjustments in risk classification. This means that maize from Russia must be analyzed more intensively, because the risk of the presence of Aflatoxin B1 is high. Maize originating from Canada, the Czech Republic and the Ukraine doesn’t have to be analyzed as frequently, because the risk of the presence of Aflatoxin B1 is virtually non-existent.
To be able to reclassify countries, it is important for as much GMP+ participants as possible to upload their analysis results to the GMP+ Monitoring database and to share it with the GMP+ community.
When uploading this information, please make sure that the origin of the maize is entered correctly and that the levels of Aflatoxin detected are entered with the correct unit (mg/kg).
Analyzing monitoring results is a source of inspiration for GMP+ International to emphasize potential risks in its communication and to develop FSP products that make the individual companies and the feed industry as a whole more resilient, to better face the daily challenges involved with supplying safe feed for safe food.