Concerns about aflatoxin from corn in animal feed

Aflatoxin B1 contamination has been detected in several seagoing vessels carrying Brazilian corn unloaded in the Netherlands. GMP+ has issued a warning about this, which is causing significant concern in the dairy sector. In high concentrations, the substance poses a risk to food safety. If the legal limit is exceeded, the milk may no longer be delivered or processed, as it may be carcinogenic.

Update: 16: 15
It is now clear that 497 Dutch dairy farmers are temporarily be blocked, after SecureFeed detected a level of aflatoxin B1 in finished feed. This concerns finished feed made from a consignment of French maize. The GMP+ warning, regarding similarly high levels of aflatoxin B1 in Brazilian maize, is unrelated to the French consignment. 

The companies involved are by GMP+ informedHowever, it remains unclear how many companies have processed or received feed containing excessively high aflatoxin B1 concentrations. Future deliveries from Brazil may also be affected, the agency warns. Feed companies are therefore urged to be extra vigilant when purchasing corn from Brazil. The confusion is further exacerbated by the fact that European corn from France containing excessive aflatoxin levels is also in circulation, for which a different tolerance applies due to Vlog regulations.

The observed levels in the contaminated maize range from 0,0028 micrograms per kilogram to 0,0199 micrograms per kilogram. These measured values ​​are therefore just below the limit of 0,020 micrograms per kilogram for compound feed. A limit of 0,005 micrograms per kilogram applies to loose raw materials. This limit has already been significantly exceeded, but it is unclear whether this maize was fed as such by dairy farmers. 

Dairy sector extremely concerned
The warning was issued by GMP+ on September 10th, but has remained largely unnoticed until now. Several dairy companies have since become aware and are informally outraged that the feed sector has known about the contamination for over a month, without informing the dairy sector broadly. Crossing the border can have serious consequences, both for daily logistics when milk cannot be delivered, and for the image of dairy products. There is currently discussion about whether and how many dairy farms will no longer be allowed to supply milk, and what measures are needed, according to rumors. 

Both trade association Nevedi and GMP+ were unavailable for comment this morning.

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is Head of Meat & Dairy at BoerenbusinessAt DCA Market Intelligence, he focuses on dairy, pork, and meat markets. He also monitors (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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