International Mycotoxins Workshop Cosponsored by AOAC

AOAC will be cosponsoring the International Workshop on Mycotoxins, "An Attempt To Harmonize Mycotoxin Training Programs Worldwide." The event will take place July 22-26 in College Park, Maryland, USA. The workshop, also cosponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, will address the problems associated with the unavoidable, naturally occurring toxicants that pose a unique challenge to providing a safe, wholesome food supply worldwide. This workshop is the second step in a 5-year program, which began last year. The long-term objective, of which the International Workshop on Mycotoxins is a part, is to reduce mycotoxin exposure to humans and animals through increased awareness of health risks associated with mycotoxin contamination, accessibility to methods and training, knowledge on conditions leading to mycotoxin formation, and compliance with international trade standards.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain fungi in agricultural products that are susceptible to mold infection. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), at least 25% of the world's food crops are contaminated with mycotoxins. The destruction of contaminated products, or their diversion to less risk uses, is not always practical and could seriously affect the world's food supply. A forum needs to be created for the transfer of knowledge and information to all regions of the world. This information would consist of new emerging mycotoxins of public health significance, progress made in sampling, testing, and monitoring programs, as well as the increase in mycotoxins regulations, decontamination procedures, and global trans-shipment of food commodities.

The format of the Workshop will consist of plenary lectures, laboratory "hands-on" experiments, instrument demonstrations, and the provision of teaching materials to assist in the transfer of information and technologies to governmental officials, agricultural community, and food processors in the regions native to the attendees. This instruction is targeted for public health officials and scientists from economically challenged regions of the world. Once the training is completed, these participants will be invited to return to their respective organizations/countries and initiate a training program following the same general format. As a follow-up, consultants will visit specific regions of the world to assist with the technology transfer of the material presented during the Workshop.

For additional information about the workshop or to obtain an application contact the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at 301-436-2401. Applications must be received by March 30.

 

Program Outline (Tentative)

  • General aspects of food safety

  • Health risks associated with mycotoxin contamination

  • Risk analysis of mycotoxins

  • Conditions leading to mycotoxin contamination

  • Mycotoxins of public and animal health significance

  • Mycotoxin methodology

  • Sampling plans

  • Method validation procedures

  • Mycotoxin prevention and decontamination

  • Mycotoxin control - Monitoring programs

  • Mycotoxin control - Regulations and enforcement

  • Laboratory quality control and certification,
    proficiency testing and measurement uncertainty
     

A Brochure with additional information is available in PDF format (315 Kb). Updated   March, 2002

Mycotoxin Page | CFSAN
Last updated on 2002-MAR-12 by frf