http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/maize

Contaminated maize meal withdrawn from sale

Food Standards Agency (UK)
10 September 2003

Two batches of maize meal have been voluntarily withdrawn from sale after
tests showed that they contained unusually high levels of fumonisins, a
group of undesirable chemicals known as mycotoxins.

The two products, Fresh and Wild Organic Maize Meal and Infinity Foods
Organic Maize Meal, were tested as part of an on-going survey being
carried out by the Food Standards Agency to check for levels of a range of
mycotoxins in maize and maize products.

Results received so far in the survey for other maize-containing products,
such as corn flour and polenta, are not a cause for concern.

Fumonisins have been shown to cause liver and kidney damage in animals
after long-term exposure and it is possible that they could have the same
effect on humans.

While there is no limit for fumonisins in food currently, the European
Commission (EC) has proposed a limit of 500 micrograms per kilogram
(mcg/kg).

The levels found in the two maize meal samples are above the proposed EC
limit and are considered to be high at 4712 and 20435 mcg/kg. However,
there is unlikely to be any immediate risk to health.

The two products have been withdrawn from sale as a precaution and the EC
has been notified about the results. The Food Standards Agency is now
carrying out further testing to see if any other brands are affected.

Mycotoxins, like fumonisins, are produced by a range of moulds growing on
food crops in the field and in storage.

Previous surveys have shown that levels of mycotoxins in food are
generally very low.

The Food Standards Agency carries out a rolling programme of research and
surveys to monitor products that might be affected and takes action when
unacceptable levels are found.