New regulation for pyrrolizidine alkaloids
From 1 July 2022, the limits set by the regulation on pyrrolizidine alkaloids will come into force. Phytocontrol has met this new regulation with an offer of detection and quantification of regulated alkaloids by LC-MS/MS with quantification limits ranging from 0.5 to 1 µg/kg.
The Laboratory is accredited by COFRAC for the analysis of PA on dry plants, spices, tea and liquid infusions, cereals and derived products, leafy vegetables, hive products and food supplements.
What are pyrrolizidine alkaloids?
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are substances naturally produced by several plant species, mostly parasitic crop plants, which can be found in foodstuffs. The presence of these compounds is therefore an incidental contamination. Some molecules have carcinogenic and genotoxic properties, i.e. they can cause DNA damage.
Through the application of good agricultural practices and appropriate harvesting methods, the presence of PAs in food can be minimised and prevented to ensure a high level of human health protection.
What does the new regulation say?
In the French decree of 24 June 2014 establishing the list of plants, other than mushrooms, authorised in food supplements and the conditions of their use, the quantity of PA is to be monitored in borage seeds and flowers. There is a restriction that preparations of this plant are authorised if it can be demonstrated that they do not exceed 1µg/kg of pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Regulation (EU) 2020/2040 has set limits for the sum of 21 PAs as well as 14 other PAs known to co-elute with the former. These regulatory limits are applicable from 1 July 2022, but foodstuffs that were placed on the market before this date can remain on the market until 31 December 2023.
Phytocontrol is able to detect and quantify, under accreditation, 42 pyrrolizidine alkaloids by LC-MS/MS, including 35 regulated PAs on the matrices listed in the regulation.
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