Grain storage is of great importance. Especially when we are dealing with rainy weather during harvest, because it largely affects the quality of the harvested raw material. It is true that grain with a moisture content of 14%, as well as at a temperature of 5°C, can be safely stored for almost three years, but when these parameters are disturbed, then toxic concentrations of mycotoxins can occur, which are products of the metabolism of mold fungi and pass into milling products during processing. The situation is similar when we are dealing with rainy harvest, then these levels can also increase. This is the situation that Western European countries, such as France and Germany, are struggling with this year, but it may occur in other countries, including Poland. That is why French MEPs appealed for a one-year postponement of the entry into force of new EU regulations on tightening mycotoxin standards in grains. This did not happen and since 1 July 2024, new rules have been in force in the European Union, which – it is worth emphasising – were introduced without publicity, and the editorial staff of the farmer.pl portal was the first to write about them in mid-June.
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DON in cereals
Dr. Hab. Roman Kierzek, prof. IOR, director of the Institute of Plant Protection, National Research Institute, spoke to us about mycotoxins. He spoke about their harmfulness.
Increased occurrence of mycotoxins in plant products (e.g. cereal grains) is closely related to unfavourable weather conditions, especially in the final growing season of crops, during harvest, transport or storage. High rainfall and relatively high air temperature during the period of the greatest sensitivity of cereals to infection with fusarium fungi, i.e. most often from mid-bloom to wax maturity, are factors responsible for the increase in mycotoxin infection. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi belonging primarily to the genera: Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium and pose a threat to human and animal health. The content of mycotoxins in grain varies from year to year and even in the regions where cereals are grown, and it is difficult to predict the level of grain contamination – emphasised Professor Kierzek.
What are the most dangerous? As Professor Kierzek reminds, one of the diseases caused by mycotoxins is fusariosis of the ear – if it occurs, we can most often expect grain contamination with DON toxin (deoxynivalenol), ZEA (zearalenone) and T-2/HT-2 toxins. The scientist also draws attention to practical aspects. There are certain actions that can limit the development of fungi, and consequently the formation of mycotoxins. These include proper agricultural technology (selection of varieties, pre-crop, proper cultivation of the soil, etc.) and the use of fungicide treatments. – In the case of chemical treatments, there is much controversy about their role in limiting the occurrence of mycotoxins. Some (including scientists) question the role of treatments using appropriate fungicides in limiting the infection of cereal plants by mycotoxins. Agricultural practice has long been based on the principle that one way to avoid mycotoxin poisoning is to prevent the development of pathogenic fungi on plants during field vegetation (through the use of effective seed dressings and foliar fungicides combined with appropriate agrotechnics). This action is about reducing the risk and reducing the infection of cereals by mycotoxins. We are not talking about the complete elimination of mycotoxins as a result of fungicide treatments – Prof. Roman Kierzek told us.
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Two Mycotoxin Regulations
What regulations are you referring to specifically? Two documents. One is Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1022 of 8 April 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915 as regards the maximum permitted levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) in food. In this case, among other things, the standards for cereal grains have been tightened from 1250 to 1000 micrograms per kilogram, but also in corn, where they change from the previous 1750 to 1500.
Specifically, we list some of the items from this regulation, i.e. the maximum permissible levels (μg/kg) of DON are now:
- unprocessed cereal grains, except the products listed – 1000;
- unprocessed durum wheat grains and unprocessed maize grains – 1500 (with the exception of unprocessed maize grains where it is obvious, e.g. by labelling or destination, that they are intended for use in wet milling processes only. The maximum level applies to unprocessed durum wheat grains and unprocessed maize grains placed on the market immediately before first processing);
- unprocessed oat grains with inedible husk – 1750;
- cereals placed on the market for the final consumer, popcorn and popcorn – 750.
The second important one is Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1038 of 9 April 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915 as regards maximum permitted levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in food.
In this case the details are as follows and the maximum permitted levels (μg/kg) for the individual groups are:
- unprocessed cereal grains – 50 (excluding unprocessed maize grains intended for wet milling and rice. The maximum level applies to unprocessed cereal grains placed on the market immediately before primary processing);
- unprocessed malting barley grains – 200;
- unprocessed maize grains and unprocessed durum wheat grains – 100;
- unprocessed oat grains with inedible husk – 1250.
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Tightening standards for food grains
Importantly, the new regulations apply to food grains, not feed grains, which is extremely important in the case of corn in particular. This was confirmed to us by the Ministry of Agriculture. – The cited legal acts apply to cereal grains intended for food purposes. They do not apply to grains for feed purposes, which are used in Poland more than twice as much as for food purposes (e.g. corn is a grain used mainly for feed purposes, so this grain is not subject to the new regulations), informed the Ministry of Agriculture.
These are not the only important issues in the matter of new requirements. There are also those concerning imported goods from so-called third countries. Here, too, we managed to obtain an official position from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. – The introduced regulations apply throughout the European Union. In practice, this means that both grain exported from Poland to other EU countries and grain imported to Poland from both EU countries and third countries must meet the requirements of Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1022 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915 as regards the maximum permissible levels of deoxynivalenol in food and Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1038 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915 as regards the maximum permissible levels of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in food – the Ministry of Agriculture informed us. It was also added that the State Sanitary Inspection authorities carry out quality control of grains intended for food purposes, including grains imported from third countries. – In the case of grain exports to third countries, the Polish exporter must meet the grain quality requirements specified by the grain buyer. The mycotoxin content limits set by a given third country may be similar to EU limits, but they may also differ from them – the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development told us.
