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Alternaria in Beer, Juices, Oils and Seeds - April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019

Food chemistry - Targeted surveys – Final report

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Summary

Targeted surveys provide information on potential food hazards and enhance the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA's) routine monitoring programs. These surveys provide evidence regarding the safety of the food supply, identify potential emerging hazards, and contribute new information and data to food categories where it may be limited or non-existent. They are often used by the Agency to focus surveillance on potential areas of higher risk. Surveys can also help to identify trends and provide information about how industry complies with Canadian regulations.

This targeted survey generated baseline surveillance data regarding Alternaria toxin levels in selected foods on the Canadian retail market. The most important Alternaria toxins are alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altuene (ALT) and L-tenuazonic acid (TeA). TeA is the most acutely toxic while AOH and AME have a lower toxicity.Footnote 1 However, there are several reports on the mutagenic and genotoxic effects of AME and AOHFootnote 2 as well as a tendency to kill fetuses of rats.Footnote 3

A total of 399 samples of beer, juices, oils and seeds were collected from retail locations in six cities across Canada and tested for AOH and AME. ALT and TeA were not included in the analytical method because of a lack of commercially available standards. AOH and/or AME were detected in 232 (58%) of the samples. The levels of AOH and AME were added so that the total Alternaria toxin levels are reported in this survey. The levels detected ranged from 0.050 parts-per-billion (ppb) to 573 ppb.

Currently in Canada as in the rest of the world, there are no regulated levels for Alternaria toxins in foods. Health Canada (HC) determined the levels of AOH and AME observed in the current survey are not expected to pose a concern to human health, therefore there were no recalls resulting from this survey. CFIA is conducting appropriate follow up activities which include further testing of similar products in previous and subsequent years.

Other regulatory agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration, Australia/New Zealand and the European Union are not monitoring their foods for Alternaria toxins or are not currently publishing the results. A comparison of the exposure of Canadian consumers to Alternaria toxins with persons in other countries is not possible. All data was shared with Health Canada. This data may be used in future risk assessments and to set standards in Canada and/or internationally.

What are targeted surveys

Targeted surveys are used by the CFIA to focus its surveillance activities on areas of highest health risk. The information gained from these surveys provides support for the allocation and prioritization of the Agency's activities to areas of greater concern. Originally started as a project under the Food Safety Action Plan (FSAP), targeted surveys have been embedded in our regular surveillance activities since 2013. Targeted surveys are a valuable tool for generating information on certain hazards in foods, identifying and characterizing new and emerging hazards, informing trend analysis, prompting and refining health risk assessments, highlighting potential contamination issues, as well as assessing and promoting compliance with Canadian regulations.

Food safety is a shared responsibility. We work with federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments and provide regulatory oversight of the food industry to promote safe handling of foods throughout the food production chain. The food industry and retail sectors in Canada are responsible for the food they produce and sell, while individual consumers are responsible for the safe handling of the food they have in their possession.

Why did we conduct this survey

The variety of beer, juices, oils and seeds is continuously increasing to meet consumers' demands. Moulds may develop in the field, during transport and/or during storage on the raw ingredients of these foods and beverages. Alternaria is a type of mould widely distributed in the soil and occurs in the air. Alternaria species are known as plant pathogens and as common allergens in humans.

Alternaria species also produce multiple toxins called mycotoxins. The most important ones are AOH, AME, ALT and TeA. Due to of the common presence of Alternaria, these toxins are frequently found in a wide variety of commodities. Alternaria mycotoxins have been recorded in fruits, such as apples, dark grapes, and citrus fruits, in vegetables like tomatoes, peppers and olives, and in fruit juices and beverages. They have also been found in grains such as wheat and barley, in sunflower seeds, and in wine. Alternaria has been reported to be the most frequent fungi invading tomatoes.Footnote 4

Among the mycotoxins produced by Alternaria species, TeA has the highest acute toxicity. In a study on mice, the oral administration of TeA salts to mice and rats resulted in cardiovascular collapse.Footnote 1 While the acute toxicity of AOH and AME is low, these toxins have shown genotoxic and mutagenic properties in cell cultures and laboratory animals.Footnote 2 These toxins have been observed to kill rat fetuses.Footnote 3 Exposure to Alternaria by inhalation can lead to asthma, infections and allergies. Dietary exposure has been linked to a variety of adverse health effects. TeA has been associated with human hematological disorders.Footnote 4

The primary source of Alternaria toxins in the human diet is fruit.Footnote 6 There are no Canadian or international regulations for Alternaria mycotoxins in foods.Footnote 6 The use of fungicide is the most common approach to manage the contamination of foods by Alternaria.

The main objectives of this targeted survey were to generate baseline surveillance data on the levels of Alternaria toxins in juices, beer, oils and seeds and to compare the prevalence of Alternaria mycotoxins in foods in this survey with that of other studies. Alternaria mycotoxins are not routinely monitored under other CFIA programs.

What did we sample

A variety of domestic and imported beer, juices, oils and seeds were sampled and tested between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Samples of products were collected from local/regional retail locations located in 6 major cities across Canada. These cities encompassed 4 Canadian geographical areas: Atlantic (Halifax), Quebec (Montreal), Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa) and the West (Vancouver and Calgary). The number of samples collected from these cities was in proportion to the relative population of the respective areas. The shelf life, storage conditions, and the cost of the food on the open market were not considered in this survey.

Table 1. Distribution of samples based on product type and origin
Product type Number of domestic samples Number of imported samples Table Note a Number of samples of unspecified Table Note b origin Total number of samples
Beer 33 28 19 80
Juice 81 16 82 179
Oils 10 52 28 90
Seeds 16 5 29 50
Grand total 140 101 158 399

Table Notes

Table Note a

Samples originated in at least 32 countries.

Return to table note a  referrer

Table Note b

Unspecified refers to those samples for which the country of origin could not be assigned from the product label or available sample information.

Return to table note b  referrer

How were samples analyzed and assessed

Samples were analyzed by an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited food testing laboratory under contract with the Government of Canada. The results are based on the food products as sold and not necessarily as they would be consumed.

There are no regulations in Canada or elsewhere in the world for Alternaria toxins in foods.Footnote 5 In the absence of a specific maximum level, the levels of Alternaria toxins are assessed by HC on a case-by-case basis using the most current scientific data available.

What were the survey results

A total of 399 samples of domestic and imported juices, beer, oils and seeds were tested for the Alternaria toxins AOH and AME. ALT and TeA were not included in the analytical method because of a lack of commercially available standards. AOH and/or AME were detected in 232 (58%) of the samples. The level of AOH and AME were added so that the total Alternaria toxin levels are reported in this survey. The levels ranged from 0.050 to 573 ppb. A summary of the Alternaria results by each product type can be seen in Table 2.

The percentage of samples with Alternaria toxin levels detected ranged from 28% in beer to 72% in juices and seeds. The highest average level of Alternaria toxins ranged from 0.26 ppb in beer to 17 ppb in juice. See Appendix A for a more detailed breakdown of the results by type of commodity (for example, by type of juice).

Table 2. Levels of Alternaria toxins in beer, juices, oils and seeds
Product type Total number of samples Number of positive samples Min (ppb) Max (ppb) Average level (ppb) of positive results
Beer 80 24 0.091 1.2 0.26
Juices 174 125 0.050 573 17
Oils 90 50 0.10 57 7.1
Seeds 50 36 0.054 55 6.0

What do the survey results mean

The detection rates for Alternaria toxins in beer, juices, oils and seeds in this survey were comparable or lower than those reported in previous survey years and/or other cited scientific literature.Footnote 7,Footnote 8,Footnote 9,Footnote 10,Footnote 11,Footnote 12,Footnote 13,Footnote 14,Footnote 15,Footnote 16 The average and highest observed levels of Alternaria toxins in this survey were comparable to or lower than those reported in previous years. Also consistent with other surveys, the level of Alternaria toxins is low in commonly consumed juices (such as apple, orange and grape juices) but is high in juices containing pomegranate as a main ingredient.

Table 3. Levels of Alternaria toxins in beer, juices, oils and seeds from various survey years and scientific literature
Product type Jurisdiction/author Survey year Number of samples Number (percentage) of samples with detected Alternaria toxins Min (ppb) Max (ppb) Ave. (ppb)
Beer CFIA 2018 to 2019 80 22 (27) 0.091 1.2 0.26
Beer Germany - Bauer et al. 2014 44 44 (100) 0.23 1.6 0.56
Beer Italy - Prelle et al. 2012 30 9 (30) 6.04 23.2 Not specified
Juice CFIA 2018 to 2019 174 125 (72) 0.050 573 17
Juice CFIA 2014 to 2016 273 138 (50) 0.050 619 69
Juice EU - Patriarca et al. 2016 95 41 (43) 0.13 20.19 Not specified
Juice China - Chen Fan et al. 2016 15 9 (60) 0.13 8.68 2.56
Juice Italy – Prelle et al. 2012 10 0 (0) N/A N/A N/A
Juice Canada - Lau et al. 2003 19 15 (79) 0.62 40.6 6.16
Juice Canada - Scott et al. 1997 8 3 (38) 0.8 5.0 2.7
Juice Spain - Delgado et al. 1993 to 1994 32 16 (50) 1.35 5.42 Not specified
Oils CFIA 2018 to 2019 90 50 (56) 0.10 57 7.1
Oils EU - Patriarca et al. 2016 19 16 (84) 2.8 14 Not specified
Seeds CFIA 2018 to 2019 50 36 (72) 0.054 55 6.0
Seeds EU - Patriarca et al. 2016 11 7 (64) 16.64 60 Not specified
Seeds Argentina - Chulze et al. 1991 to 1992 150 134 (89) 30 1512 286
Seeds Argentina - Torres et al. 1993 50 38 (76) 90 1026 415

Other regulatory agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration, Australia/New Zealand and the European Union are not monitoring their foods for Alternaria toxins or at least, are not currently publishing the results. A comparison of the exposure of Canadian consumers to Alternaria toxins with persons in other countries is not possible.

Appendix A

Table 4. More detailed distribution of levels of Alternaria toxins in beer, juices, oils and seeds
Product type Product type/principal ingredient Total number of samples Number of samples with detected levels Min (ppb) Max (ppb) Average level (ppb) of positive results
Beer Barley 76 18 0.091 1.2 0.25
Beer Other 1 1 N/A 0.39 N/A
Beer Wheat 3 2 0.20 0.33 0.27
Juices Apple (cider and juice) 27 12 0.12 1.8 0.44
Juices Blend 78 55 0.050 15 1.6
Juices Blend (with pomegranate) 3 3 5.8 573 253
Juices Cranberry 2 2 0.1 0.57 0.34
Juices Grape 4 2 0.12 0.29 0.21
Juices Grapefruit 3 0 N/A N/A N/A
Juices Orange 34 27 0.070 2.1 0.5
Juices Other Table Note c 11 8 0.26 12 3.3
Juices Pineapple 12 10 0.10 0.84 0.4
Juices Pomegranate 5 5 13 485 249
Oils Canola 8 3 0.36 2.2 1.0
Oils Corn 9 9 0.13 4.7 1.0
Oils Olive 10 8 1.3 7.7 4.4
Oils Other Table Note d 7 1 N/A 0.1 N/A
Oils Palm 10 8 0.35 57 22
Oils Peanut 9 6 0.10 0.52 0.3
Oils Sesame 9 8 2.7 47 15
Oils Soybean 11 1 N/A 0.1 N/A
Oils Sunflower 10 6 0.12 4.8 1.4
Oils Vegetable 7 7 N/A N/A N/A
Seeds Chia 8 6 0.4 13 5.5
Seeds Flax 10 8 0.11 8.2 2.6
Seeds Pumpkin 12 5 0.12 0.77 0.32
Seeds Sesame 3 3 4.2 55 37
Seeds Sunflower 17 14 0.17 9.2 3.5

Table Notes

Table Note c

Includes blueberry juice, cherry juice, mango juice/mango nectar, peach nectar, pear juices

Return to table note c  referrer

Table Note d

Includes coconut oil and grapeseed oil

Return to table note d  referrer

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