Number 74      September 1995

MAFF UK - 1995 SURVEY OF APPLE JUICE FOR PATULIN

Index to MAFF UK Food Surveillance Information Sheets, 1995

See also:

16: MAFF, UK - Patulin In Apple Juice: 1993 Survey (October 1993)
24: MAFF, UK - More on Patulin in Apple Juice - Comparison of Analytical Methods for Patulin in Apple Juice (February 1994)
29: MAFF, UK - Survey of Apple Products for Patulin (May 1994)
36: MAFF, UK - 1994 Survey of Apple Juice for Patulin (September 1994)
63: MAFF, UK - Survey of Fruit Juices and Tomato Products for Patulin (June 1995)
97: MAFF UK - 1996 Survey of Apple Juice for Patulin (October 1996)
173: MAFF UK - 1998 Survey of Apple Juice for Patulin (April 1999)

Summary

A survey for patulin contamination of retail directly-produced apple juices has been completed. Patulin was not detected above the advisory limit of 50 µg/kg in the majority (94 percent) of all samples analysed. Six samples which contained patulin significantly above the advisory limit were named in a 'News Release' on 8 August 1995 ¹.

Background

Patulin and the moulds that produce it are naturally present in the environment. These moulds grow on fruits such as apples, peaches and pears and also on some vegetables. Patulin is one of a group of chemicals called mycotoxins. It is particularly associated with moulds, such as brown rot, in apples.

Surveillance of patulin in apple juice has been carried out previously. In 1992, following the detection of higher concentrations in some samples than those found in previous surveillance exercises, the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) was asked to review the toxicity of patulin and recommended that patulin concentrations in food should be reduced to the lowest level technologically achievable. The Food Advisory Committee (FAC) subsequently set an advisory level of 50 µg/kg ².

Further surveillance was carried out in 1993 to monitor the effectiveness of industry's actions to reduce patulin contamination of apple juice ³. In addition surveillance was carried out to assess the extent of patulin contamination of other products containing significantly amounts of apples ⁴. In 1994 a follow-up survey of patulin in apple juice was carried out to monitor the continuing effectiveness of industry's action to control patulin contamination ⁵. This survey was extended to include other fruit juices and tomato products ⁶. The 1994 survey showed that patulin concentrations in apple juice produced from concentrate were now within the advisory level but a small percentage of juices made directly from pressed apples continued to exceed 50 µg/kg. The current survey is therefore targeted at directly produced apple juices.

The Survey

A total of 185 samples of directly produced apple juice (i.e. those not made from concentrates) were purchased from a variety of retail outlets, small producers and farm shops. Retail samples were purchased throughout the UK while samples from small producers and farm shops were obtained from the south of England. All samples were purchased in duplicate and the second sample was used for reference or as a back-up.

Method of Analysis

Analysis was performed by reversed phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with ultra-violet detection. Samples containing more than 20 µg/kg were re-analysed using HPLC. Samples containing more than 50 µg/kg were also analysed by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) using selected ion monitoring for confirmation. Recovery values were within the acceptable range of 65 - 110 percent. The limit of determination was 10 µg/kg. All results obtained were corrected for recovery.

Results

Patulin was not detected above 10 µg/kg in 121 samples (65 percent). Fifty-three samples (29 percent) contained patulin between 10 and 49 µg/kg. The remaining 11 samples (6 percent) contained patulin at or above 50 µg/kg. These results are summarised in Table 1, together with those for the directly-produced juices from previous surveys. It can be seen from the table that the situation has improved from 1992 when the problem was first identified. Of the samples containing patulin above the FAC advisory level of 50 µg/kg, 6 were named in a News Release issued on 8th August 1995. The further 5 samples containing patulin at levels close to the advisory level and lay within the range of experimental error. Table 2 gives details of those samples named in the News Release.

Action Taken and Interpretation

The majority of juices analysed were not found to be contaminated with patulin above the limit of determination 10 µg/kg. The six juices (5 brands) which significantly exceeded the FAC advisory level were named in the News Release. The producers of these products were informed of the results and two voluntarily withdrew remaining stocks. Of the 4 remaining juices, no stocks of affected batches were left. One of the juices (Sun-Ripe) was a short life product while the other products all had long shelf-lives. As a precautionary measure the News Release advised consumers not to drink any of the affected products.

A further 5 samples contained patulin close to the advisory level but were not named in the News Release. These results were within the range of experimental error. The companies involved have been informed of the results and all producers will be advised on improving production practices.

Although high levels of patulin were detected in a small number of juices (6 percent), the affected products are a small part of the apple juice market. Patulin was not found to exceed the advisory level in the majority (94 percent) of directly produced juices analysed in the survey. As there is a continuing problem with a small number of the directly produced juices, a further survey on these juices is planned in 1996.

References

1. News Release, No. 301/95, 'High Levels Of Patulin Found In Certain Brands Of Apple Juice'; 8th August 1995.
2. Food Safety Directorate Information Bulletin, No. 34, February 1993.
3. Food Surveillance Information Sheet No. 16; October 1993.
4. Food Surveillance Information Sheet No. 29, May 1994.
5. Food Surveillance Information Sheet No. 36; September 1994.
6. Food Surveillance Information Sheet No. 63; June 1995.

For further information please contact:

Dr D Atkins
MAFF, Food Safety and Science Group
Food Contaminants Division
Room 210 Ergon House
c/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR

Tel: (+44) (0)171 238 6198
Fax: (+44) (0)171 238 5331

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These pages were last updated on 1 October 1996