The occurrence of fumonisin B₁ in maize‐containing foods in the Netherlands

Abstract

Seventy‐eight maize‐containing foods obtained from retail stores in The Netherlands were analysed for fumonisin B₁ contamination. Thirty‐six per cent of the samples were contaminated with fumonisin B₁ in the range of 8 μg kg⁻¹ (limit of detection) to 1430 μg/kg⁻¹. Forty‐six per cent of the minimally treated maize samples (n = 39; maize for bread production, maize for popcorn, maize flour and polenta) were contaminated with fumonisin B₁ in the range of 8–380 μg kg⁻¹. Twenty‐six per cent of the maize‐containing processed foods (n = 39; tostada, canned maize, maize starch, maize bread, popped maize, flour mixes, maize chips and cornflakes) were contaminated with fumonisin B₁ in the range of 8–1430 μg/kg⁻¹.∗∗∗ This survey shows that maize‐containing foods in The Netherlands frequently can be contaminated with fumonisin B₁.

Keywords:

• fumonisin B₁
• maize‐containing food
• The Netherlands

Notes

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