BS EN 17251:2020 - Foodstuffs: Determination of Ochratoxin A in Pork Meat and Derived Products

Introducing the BS EN 17251:2020 standard, a comprehensive guideline for the determination of ochratoxin A in pork meat and its derived products. This standard is essential for ensuring food safety and quality, providing a reliable method for detecting ochratoxin A, a potentially harmful mycotoxin, in pork products.

Overview of BS EN 17251:2020

The BS EN 17251:2020 standard outlines a meticulous procedure for the detection and quantification of ochratoxin A in pork meat. Released on January 24, 2020, this standard is a critical tool for laboratories and food safety professionals who are committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety.

With a total of 22 pages, this standard provides detailed instructions and methodologies, ensuring that users can effectively implement the procedures outlined. The standard is identified by the ISBN 978 0 580 99642 9, making it easily accessible for procurement and reference.

Key Features and Benefits

• Comprehensive Methodology: The standard provides a detailed methodology for the determination of ochratoxin A, utilizing Immunoaffinity Column (IAC) clean-up and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FLD).
• Ensures Food Safety: By adhering to this standard, food producers and laboratories can ensure that pork products are free from harmful levels of ochratoxin A, thereby protecting consumer health.
• Industry Compliance: Compliance with this standard helps businesses meet regulatory requirements and industry standards, enhancing their reputation and consumer trust.
• Detailed Guidance: The standard provides step-by-step instructions, making it accessible even for those new to the field of food safety testing.

Why Ochratoxin A Testing is Important

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin produced by certain molds, which can contaminate food products, including pork. It is known for its potential health risks, including kidney damage and carcinogenic effects. Therefore, accurate detection and quantification of ochratoxin A in food products are crucial for ensuring consumer safety.

The BS EN 17251:2020 standard provides a scientifically validated method for detecting ochratoxin A, helping to prevent contaminated products from reaching the market. This not only protects consumers but also helps businesses avoid costly recalls and damage to their brand reputation.

Technical Specifications

The standard employs advanced techniques such as Immunoaffinity Column (IAC) clean-up and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection (HPLC-FLD). These methods are renowned for their precision and reliability, ensuring accurate results in the detection of ochratoxin A.

By using IAC clean-up, the method effectively isolates ochratoxin A from complex food matrices, enhancing the accuracy of the subsequent HPLC-FLD analysis. This combination of techniques is widely recognized in the industry for its effectiveness in mycotoxin analysis.

Who Should Use This Standard?

The BS EN 17251:2020 standard is indispensable for a variety of stakeholders in the food industry, including:

• Food Safety Laboratories: Laboratories conducting food safety testing will find this standard essential for ensuring accurate and reliable results.
• Food Producers: Pork producers and processors can use this standard to ensure their products meet safety standards and are free from harmful levels of ochratoxin A.
• Regulatory Bodies: Government and regulatory agencies can use this standard as a benchmark for food safety inspections and compliance checks.
• Quality Assurance Professionals: QA teams in the food industry can implement this standard to enhance their food safety protocols and maintain high-quality standards.

Conclusion

The BS EN 17251:2020 standard is a vital resource for anyone involved in the production, testing, and regulation of pork products. By providing a reliable method for the determination of ochratoxin A, this standard helps ensure that food products are safe for consumption and meet the highest quality standards.

Investing in this standard is an investment in food safety, consumer trust, and industry compliance. Ensure your products are safe and your processes are up to date with the latest industry standards by incorporating the BS EN 17251:2020 into your food safety protocols.

BS EN 17251:2020

This standard BS EN 17251:2020 Foodstuffs. Determination of ochratoxin A in pork meat and derived products by IAC clean-up and HPLC-FLD is classified in these ICS categories:

• 67.120.10 Meat and meat products

This document describes a procedure for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in pork products specifically ham, pork-based products (canned chopped pork) and pork liver using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD).

The method has been validated for ochratoxin A in naturally contaminated ham, pork based products (canned chopped pork) and pork liver containing 0,5 ?g/kg to 11 ?g/kg [4], [5], [6].

Laboratory experiences have shown that this method is also applicable to pâté and kidney [4].