Abstract
The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) has been heavily involved over the last decade in carrying out surveillance exercises to estimate the exposure of the population to mycotoxins in the UK food supply. Data produced on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for range of mycotoxins important to the UK food supply are given together with the actions taken to reduce exposure to minimal levels. Particular emphasis has been placed on UK studies on patulin in apple juice which is of particular concern to the UK and ochratoxin A in food which is of general concern in the European Union. Regular surveys for patulin in apple juice have been carried out in the UK since 1992. The results and regulatory strategies to reduce exposure are presented. Similarly a number of surveys have been carried out to assess the amount of ochratoxin A in the UK diet. These results and assessments of human exposure through a duplicate diet study are presented, in addition Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point strategies used to reduce contamination of the food supply are discussed.
