Risk management of mycotoxins in livestock feeds (aflatoxin as an example)

Abstract

Cereal grains such as corn and milo, most of which are imported, are primary livestock feeds in Japan. The climatic condition of the exporting countries, among other factors, may have impact on the concentrations of mycotoxins in these cereals, which may adversely affects health of both livestock and human.The Ministry of Agriculture Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) has established reference values for mycotoxins in feeds, and instructed manufacturers not to distribute feeds which contain mycotoxins above the respective reference values in order to protect the health of consumers who ingest foods of livestock origin such as milk and meat. In addition, the MAFF has conducted surveillance of the current occurrence of mycotoxins and monitoring the conformity to the reference values.This paper provides an overview of the risk management by the MAFF regarding mycotoxins in livestock feeds, including the method to establish reference values in line with the internationally adopted rule, and offering a real example on establishment of the reference value for aflatoxin (AF) B 1 in compound feed for dairy cattle.