Reminder of FDA Mycotoxin Action/Guidance Levels for Grains and Feed

Posted on 12/2/2009

Recent, anecdotal information provided to the American Feed Industry Association on grains from the recent harvest has revealed concerns about mycotoxins, specifically high levels of fumonisins, aflatoxins and vomitoxin (DON or deoxynivalenol).  The purpose of this advisory is to remind the feed industry of current guidance levels established by the Food and Drug Administration and above which may result in regulatory action. 

Also, AFIA is discussing with FDA the possibility of the agency using regulatory discretion on these levels if the post-harvest mycotoxins levels are unusually high.  Alternatively, FDA could increase the action/guidance levels to allow for more grain to be utilized in feed.  FDA has raised the guidance levels in the past as a result of poor harvest quality.  AFIA has been in contact with FDA which has agreed to review recent research reports on these levels regarding animal health and food safety.

The following are the current advisory levels for vomitoxin, fumonisins and aflatoxins:

Advisory Levels for Vomitoxin (DON or Deoxynivalenol) in Animal Feeds

1. 10 ppm vomitoxin on grains and grain by-products destined for ruminating beef and feedlot cattle older than four months and for chickens with the added recommendation that these ingredients not exceed 50% of the diets of cattle or chickens.

2. 5 ppm vomitoxin on grains and grain by-products destined for swine with the added recommendation that these ingredients not exceed 20% of their diets.

3. 5 ppm vomitoxin on grains and grain by-products destined for all other animals with the added recommendation that these ingredients not exceed 40% of their diets.

Guidance for Fumonisins in Animal Feeds

(1)Total fumonisins = FB1 + FB2 + FB3.

(2)Fraction of corn or corn by-product mixed into the total ration.

(3)Includes asses, zebras and onagers.

(4)Cattle, sheep, goats and other ruminants that are > 3 months old and fed for slaughter.

(5)Fed for pelt production.

(6)Turkeys, chickens, ducklings and other poultry fed for slaughter.

(7)Includes laying hens, roosters, lactating dairy cows and bulls.

(8)Includes dogs and cats.

Action Levels for Aflatoxins in Animal Feeds

- 300 ppb for corn and peanut products intended for finishing (i.e., feedlot) beef cattle;

- 300 ppb for cottonseed meal intended for beef cattle, swine, or poultry (regardless of age or breeding status);

- 200 ppb for corn or peanut products intended for finishing swine of 100 pounds or greater;

- 100 ppb for corn and peanut products intended for breeding beef cattle, breeding swine, or mature poultry;

- 20 ppb for corn, peanut products, and other animal feeds and feed ingredients, but excluding cottonseed meal, intended for immature animals;

- 20 ppb for corn, peanut products, cottonseed meal, and other animal feeds and feed ingredients intended for dairy animals, for animal species or uses not specified above, or when the intended use is not known.

While the agency uses the terms “action,” “guidance” and “advisory” levels seemingly interchangeably, the industry should realize that these are the levels above which regulatory action is contemplated by FDA. 

AFIA advises its members to comply with these levels and insure your suppliers are providing you products that are considerably below the levels to insure compliance.  Also, members should utilize one or more tools to insure compliance.  These tools may include purchasing agreements where these levels are specified by number or reference, requiring outside tests from qualified laboratories and/or utilizing accepted test methods to sample and test incoming products. 

For a guide to sampling bulk products, click here.

As the guide to sampling indicates, it is important to take a representative sample of the product to be tested.  For testing, there are a variety of “quick” tests that can be done with limited experience and little equipment.  There also are complex wet chemistry tests that likely would be performed by outside laboratories, thereby lengthening the time to obtain results. 

Several AFIA members offer test kits, and AFIA urges firms to check the AFIA supplier Web site, www.feedsearch.com, for information.  Once you enter the Web site, click on the left side the terms “Begin Feed Industry Search.”  This will take you to a selection page.  Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter the words “mycotoxin test” and click on the “Search” button.  This will deliver several names and descriptions of the firms.  If a firm has provided a link, you may move directly to its Web site.  This tool may be used for any supplier request.