Carry-Over of Aflatoxin B1 from Feed to Cow Milk-A Review.

The conversion of aflatoxin B1 in feed consumed by cows into aflatoxin M1 in their milk poses a challenge to food safety, with milk being a popular staple food and because of the harmful effects of these compounds. This study aimed at reviewing scientific information about the extent of carry-over of AFB1 from feed to milk. A range of studies reported about correlations of carry-over with different factors, particularly with milk yield and AFB1 intake. The extent of carry-over considerably varies, being 1-2% on average, which may be as high as 6% in the case of increased milk production. Specific factors influencing transfer rates, including milk yield, somatic cell counts, aflatoxin B1 intake, source of contamination, seasonal effects, particle size of feed, and the effects of certain interventions, namely vaccination and the use of adsorbents, are identified as the most important and are discussed in this review. The different mathematical formulas describing carry-over and instances of their application are reviewed as well. These carry-over equations may lead to largely different results, and no single carry-over equation can be suggested as the best one. While the exact quantification of carry-over is difficult as the process depends on many factors, including individual variabilities between animals, the intake of aflatoxin B1 and milk yield seem to be the most important factors influencing the excreted amount of aflatoxin M1 and the rate of carry-over.

A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Interventions to Control Aflatoxins in the Dairy Production Chain-Feed Production and Animal Feeding Interventions.

The study presents a systematic review of published scientific articles investigating the effects of interventions aiming at aflatoxin reduction at the feed production and animal feeding phases of the milk value chain in order to identify the recent scientific trends and summarize the main findings available in the literature. The review strategy was designed based on the guidance of the systematic review and knowledge synthesis methodology that is applicable in the field of food safety. The Web of Science and EBSCOhost online databases were searched with predefined algorithms. After title and abstract relevance screening and relevance confirmation with full-text screening, 67 studies remained for data extraction, which were included in the review. The most important identified groups of interventions based on their mode of action and place in the technological process are as follows: low-moisture production using preservatives, acidity regulators, adsorbents and various microbiological additives. The results of the listed publications are summarized and compared for all the identified intervention groups. The paper aimed to help feed producers, farmers and relevant stakeholders to get an overview of the most suitable aflatoxin mitigation options, which is extremely important in the near future as climate change will likely be accompanied by elevated mycotoxin levels.

Dietary Sodium and Potassium Intake in Hungarian Elderly: Results from the Cross-Sectional Biomarker2019 Survey.

High sodium intake and inadequate potassium intake are associated with high blood pressure. The elderly are more salt sensitive than other age groups, yet a reliable estimate of the dietary sodium and potassium intake of this age group in Hungary is unavailable. The study aimed to estimate the sodium and potassium intakes in the Hungarian elderly from 24 h urine sodium and potassium excretion. In this cross-sectional study, participants were selected from patients of general practitioners practicing in western Hungary. The participants comprised 99 men and 90 women (mean age 67.1 (SD 5.4] years) who participated in the Biomarker2019 survey and returned a complete 24 h urine collection. We assessed dietary sodium and potassium by determining 24 h urinary sodium and potassium excretions and 3-day dietary records. The mean urinary sodium was 188.8 (73.5) mmoL/day, which is equivalent to 11.0 g of salt/day; and the mean urinary potassium was 65.8 (24.3) mmoL/day, which is equivalent to 3.03 g of potassium/day, after adjusting for non-urinary potassium losses. Only 7% of the subjects met the World Health Organization's recommended target of less than 5 g of salt/day, and 33% consumed at least the recommended potassium amount of 3.5 g/day, based on the estimates from 24 h urine excretion. For most elderly, sodium intake exceeds, and potassium does not reach, dietary recommendations. The results underline the need to intensify salt reduction efforts in Hungary.

Corrigendum: Detection of Aflatoxins in Different Matrices and Food-Chain Positions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01916.].

Detection of Aflatoxins in Different Matrices and Food-Chain Positions.

Aflatoxins, produced mainly by filamentous fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are one of the most carcinogenic compounds that have adverse health effects on both humans and animals consuming contaminated food and feed, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) as well as aflatoxin G1(AFG1) and aflatoxin G2 (AFG2) occur in the contaminated foods and feed. In the case of dairy ruminants, after the consumption of feed contaminated with aflatoxins, aflatoxin metabolites [aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin M2 (AFM2)] may appear in milk. Because of the health risk and the official maximum limits of aflatoxins, there is a need for application of fast and accurate testing methods. At present, there are several analytical methods applied in practice for determination of aflatoxins. The aim of this review is to provide a guide that summarizes worldwide aflatoxin regulations and analytical methods for determination of aflatoxins in different food and feed matrices, that helps in the decision to choose the most appropriate method that meets the practical requirements of fast and sensitive control of their contamination. Analytical options are outlined from the simplest and fastest methods with the smallest instrument requirements, through separation methods, to the latest hyphenated techniques.

Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Fumonisin B1 and B2 Mycotoxins in Maize-Based Food Products in Hungary.

Fumonisins are toxic secondary metabolites produced mainly by Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum. Their toxicity was evaluated, and health-based guidance values established on the basis of both Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommendations. This study presents the results of fumonisin analyses in different maize- and rice-based food products in Hungary and the potential health risk arising from their dietary intake. In total, 326 samples were measured in 2017 and 2018 to determine fumonisins B1 and B2 levels. Three-day dietary record data were collected from 4992 consumers, in 2009. For each food category, the average concentration values were multiplied by the relevant individual consumption data, and the results were compared to the reference values. With respect to the maximum limits, one maize flour, two maize grits, and two samples of other maize-based, snack-like products had total fumonisin content minimally exceeding the EU regulatory limit. The mean daily intake for all maize-product consumers was 0.045-0.120 µg/kg bw/day. The high intake (95 percentile) ranged between 0.182 and 0.396 µg/kg bw/day, well below the 1 µg/kg bw/day tolerable daily intake (TDI) established by EFSA. While the intake calculations resulted in comforting results, maize-based products may indeed be contaminated by fumonisins. Therefore, frequent monitoring of fumonisins' levels and evaluation of their intakes using the best available data are recommended.

Указ об общественном питании в Венгрии: межсекторальные действия общественного здравоохранения в целях улучшения питания и решения проблем социального неравенства с применением обязательного к исполнению правового инструмента: информационный обзор по передовому опыту

Указ об общественном питании был опубликован в 2014 году после длительной подготовительной фазы и интенсивного сотрудничества с соответствующими заинтересованными сторонами. Этот правовой инструмент является одним из компонентов комплексного набора мер общественного здравоохранения, направленного на решение первопричин ожирения. Указ относится к факторам риска, связанным с рационом питания, в основном в образовательной среде (включая бесплатные летние обеды для уязвимых детей) и в стационарах, и рассматривает не только вопросы, связанные со здоровьем, но и вопросы социальной сферы и равенства. Спустя три года после его введения, благоприятные изменения наблюдаются в сфере школьного питания и в отношении со стороны пищевой промышленности. Надежная коммуникация в дополнение к законодательству улучшила понимание его целей в сфере общественного здравоохранения, что позволило укрепить общественное восприятие и принятие.

The public catering decree in Hungary: intersectoral public health action to improve nutrition and address social inequalities with a binding legal instrument: good practice brief

The Public Catering Decree was published in 2014 after a long preparatory phase and intense intersectoral cooperation with relevant stakeholders. This legal tool is one component of a complex set of public health measures to address the root causes of obesity. The Decree pertains to dietary risk factors primarily in educational settings (including free summer meals for disadvantaged children) and in hospitals and addresses not only health-related but also social and equity issues. Three years after its introduction, favourable changes in the school nutrition environment were seen, and a positive change in the attitude of the food industry. Robust communication activities to supplement the legislation improved understanding of its public health goals, thus strengthening the public perception and acceptance.

Risk assessment of the cumulative acute exposure of Hungarian population to organophosphorus pesticide residues with regard to consumers of plant based foods.

Based on the Hungarian pesticide residues monitoring data of the last five years and the consumption data collected within a 3-day dietary record survey in 2009 (more than 2 million pesticide residue results and almost 5000, 0-101-year-old consumers 3 non-consecutive-day personal fruit and vegetable consumption data), the cumulative acute exposure of organophosphorus pesticide residues was evaluated. The relative potency factor approach was applied, with acephate chosen as index compound. According to our conservative calculation method, applying the measured residues only, the 99.95% of the 99th percentiles of calculated daily intakes was at or below 87 µg/kgbwday, indicating that the cumulative acute exposure of the whole Hungarian population (including all age classes) to organophosphorus compounds was not a health concern.

Limitations in the determination of maximum residue limits and highest residues of pesticides: Part I.

The pesticide usages are controlled by comparing residue concentrations in treated commodities to legally permitted maximum levels (MRLs) determined based on supervised trials designed to reflect likely maximum residues occurring in practice following authorised use. The number of trials available may significantly affect the accuracy of estimated maximum residues. We conducted a study with synthetic lognormal distributions with mean of 1 and standard deviations of 0.8 and 1.0, which reflect the residue distributions observed in practice. The likely residues in samples were modelled by drawing random samples of size 3, 5, 10 and 25 from the synthetic populations. The results indicate that the estimations of highest residues (HR), used for calculation of short-term intake, and the MRLs, serving as legal limits, are very uncertain based on 3-5 trials indicated by the calculated HR0.975/HR0.025 and MRL0.975/MRL0.025 ratios of 12 and 9, and 13 and 10, respectively, which question the suitability of such trials for the intended purpose. As the 95% range of HR and MRL rapidly decreases with number of trials, ideally ≥15 but minimum 6-8 trials should be used for estimation of HR and MRL according to the current typical practice of Codex Alimentarius.

[Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey -- the OTAP2009 study. III. Vitamin intake of the Hungarian population]. / Országos Táplálkozás és Tápláltsági Állapot Vizsgálat - OTÁP2009. III. A magyar lakosság vitaminbevitele.

UNLABELLED: For the healthy status the adequate intake of vitamins is essential. AIM AND METHOD: The Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey - joining to the European Health Interview Survey - studied the dietary habits of the Hungarian population. This work presents the vitamins intake. RESULTS: The intake of all water soluble vitamins, vitamin E and D were significantly higher in men than in women. Favourable phenomena were the increased ß-carotene and vitamin C intakes in men and women compared to the earlier data. Intakes of vitamin C, B1-, B2-, B6- and B12, and niacin meet the recommendations. Crucially low intakes of vitamin D and folate were calculated in both genders, particularly in the elders, mainly in case of vitamin D. Imperfect intakes of panthotenic acid and biotin were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: For maintaining the adequate vitamin supply and for prevention of vitamin deficiency, diversified nutrition, information of the population on the basic principles of healthy nutrition and availability of healthy food are essential.

[Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey -- the OTAP2009 study. II. Energy and macronutrient intake of the Hungarian population]. / Országos Táplálkozás és Tápláltsági Állapot Vizsgálat - OTÁP2009. II. A magyar lakosság energia- és makrotápanyag-bevitele.

UNLABELLED: The Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey is the fourth in the row of the Hungarian national dietary surveys conducted by the Institute for Food and Nutrition Science. AIMS: The present study was performed to provide valid, up-to-date data on energy and nutrient intakes and dietary habits of the Hungarian adult population. METHODS: The energy and nutrient intakes were calculated on validated three-day dietary records of a representative sample by age and gender of the Hungarian population aged ≥ 18 ys. RESULTS: The energy percentage of fat was too high (39 E% for men and 36 E% for women), that of carbohydrate was too low (45 E% for men and 48 E% for women), whereas that of protein met the recommendation (15 E% for men and 15 E% for women). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of the nutritional risk factors would greatly reduce the mortality and morbidity rates of nutrition-related diseases.

[Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey - the OTAP2009 study. IV. Macroelement intake of the Hungarian population]. / Országos Táplálkozás és Tápláltsági Állapot Vizsgálat - OTÁP2009. IV. A magyar lakosság makroelem-bevitele.

UNLABELLED: The adequate intake of minerals is basically important for healthy nutrition. AIM AND METHOD: The Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey - joining to the European Health Interview Survey - studied the dietary habits of the Hungarian population. The present publication describes the macroelement intake. RESULTS: The salt intake is unusually high (17.2 g in men and 12.0 g in women), the potassium intake remains well below the recommendation. These factors substantially increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases including high blood-pressure. The calcium intake stays below the recommendation except in the youngest males, the oldest men and women are at risk from this point of view. While magnesium intake suited the recommendation, the intake of phosphorus exceeded it twice. CONCLUSIONS: Focusing on marcroelements, high sodium/salt intake represents the highest public health risk. The implementation of STOP SALT! National Salt Reducing Programme, i.e. decrease the salt content of processed food and provide proper information to the population about excessive salt consumption, should result in a beneficial change of salt intake and ameliorate the public health conditions.

[Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey -- the OTAP2009 study. V. Intake of microelements in the Hungarian population]. / Országos Táplálkozás és Tápláltsági Állapot Vizsgálat - OTÁP2009. V. A magyar lakosság mikroelem-bevitele.

UNLABELLED: For a healthy status the adequate intake of microelements is vital. AIM AND METHOD: The Hungarian Diet and Nutritional Status Survey - joining to the European Health Interview Survey - studied the dietary habits of the Hungarian population. The present paper demonstrates the microelement intake. RESULTS: While the intake of iron, copper and zinc was sufficient in males, it was deficient in females according to the Hungarian recommendations. Especially women in their reproductive age ingested iron below the recommendation, thus representing a health risk. In comparison to earlier Hungarian data, zinc and chromium intake decreased unfavorable. CONCLUSIONS: Since in Hungary the consumption of the whole grain products with high trace element content is traditionally low, as also reflected in the present study, it would be desirable to increase the contribution of these foods in the diet in order to enhance the intake of microelements.