2010 Call for Data on Ochratoxin A

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

Background

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic fungal metabolite that causes nephrotoxic, teratogenic, immunosuppressive and carcinogenic effects in a number of animal species. It has also been implicated in the development of a chronic kidney disease in humans known as Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. OTA occurs naturally in low concentrations in many foods, such as cereal-derived staples as well as other food commodities including grapes, raisins, wine, coffee and beer.

On August 29^th, 2008 Health Canada's Bureau of Chemical Safety (BCS), Food Directorate, sent pre-consultation letters to targeted stakeholder groups requesting input on Health Canada's proposed maximum limits for ochratoxin A (OTA) in foods. On March 2, 2009, BCS webposted it's Information Document on Health Canada's proposed Maximum Limits (Standards) for the Presence of the Mycotoxin Ochratoxin A in Foods on Health Canada's Food Safety website, requesting further comments on this proposal from the larger stakeholder community. Comments were accepted until 12:00 a.m. EDT on June 1^st, 2009.

On December 9, 2009, the Bureau of Chemical Safety's 'Health risk assessment of ochratoxin A for all age-sex strata in a market economy' was published on-line in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants (Volume 27, Issue 2, February 2010, pages 212-240). The article was made publicly available by Health Canada through its website in April 2010.

Health Canada's Call for Data on Ochratoxin A

Following meetings held with industry stakeholders after the closing of the initial OTA consultation, Health Canada was made aware of emerging OTA occurrence data available through the on-going monitoring of cereal grains and derived products which could be of relevance to the proposed MLs for certain cereal commodities.

As a result, Health Canada has initiated a call for data, effective August 06, 2010, and is actively seeking submissions of published and unpublished technical information on the occurrence of OTA in cereal grains and cereal-based foods. The main goal of this call for data is to obtain information to assist in identifying priorities for the development of risk management strategies.

Confidential and/or unpublished information

Health Canada recognizes that some of the available information and/or relevant data that is being requested may be unpublished or of a confidential nature. If submitted, unpublished information would remain the property of the submitting organization or individual and its confidentiality will be safeguarded in so far as it is possible to do so within current regulations governing such issues. Specific issues relating to confidentiality should be discussed directly between the information owners and Health Canada. For these and other issues please contact the Bureau of Chemical Safety through the contact information provided below.

Information requested:

• Current levels of OTA in relevant OTA-containing foods;
• Description of sampling plans and analytical methodologies to detect OTA in food and other matrices;
• Any other relevant information that falls within the scope of the following documents:
  • Information Document on Health Canada's proposed Maximum Limits (Standards) for the Presence of the Mycotoxin Ochratoxin A in Foods
  • Health risk assessment of ochratoxin A for all age-sex strata in a market Economy

These submissions may be submitted in writing either by regular mail or electronically, at the address indicated below. If you are submitting your comments or data electronically, please use the words "Ochratoxin A" in the subject box of your e-mail. This call for data will close at 12:00 a.m. EST on December 31, 2010.

E-mail address:

bcs-bipc@hc-sc.gc.ca

Mailing address:

Health Canada, Bureau of Chemical Safety
Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Division
251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, PL: 2201C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2