Fera Science Limited can analyse food samples to measure levels of patulin with methods that are fully compliant with EU contaminants legislation. Our results can help you assess compliance with the regulatory limits currently in place. Fera Science Limited also acts as National Reference Laboratory in the UK for mycotoxins in food and feed under Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 supporting food control laboratories across the country.

The method we use is fully accredited to ISO17025 for food samples and uses a sodium carbonate clean up followed by HPLC-UV detection. It was fully validated by international method validation study by Fera and is the basis of the CEN standard method.

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by fungi including Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssochlamys species and occurs mainly in apples spoiled by mould growth, or in products made from spoiled apples. However, patulin has also been found in other fruits, including pears and grapes and occasionally in vegetables and in cereal grains and cheese.

Apples and apple products are usually considered to be the most significant contributor to patulin in the diet. Contaminated apple juice usually contains patulin at levels below 50 μg/litre, but much higher levels (up to 4,000 μg/litre) have been reported from time to time.

Regulatory limits for patulin in food are laid down in EU regulations/recommendations (as amended which are found in:

Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs and in Recommendation 2003/598/EC on the prevention and reduction of patulin contamination in apple juice and apple juice ingredients in other beverages.

FC24 is an essential source of up to date legislative requirements (www.fc24.eu).