September 16, 2010
Executive Talk: Romer Labs â€" One-stop testing with integrity
An eFeedLink Exclusive
Annually, approximately 25% of crops are affected by mycotoxins worldwide. This translates to billions of dollars in losses due to crop damage and compromised livestock productivity. While mycotoxins are unavoidable in commodities, feed manufacturers can develop strategies for managing its risks.
Established in 1982, with laboratories currently in the US, Austria and Singapore, Romer Labs® is a provider of diagnostic solutions, which seeks to ensure highest quality standards at all stages of the food chain. Its testing programme encompasses over 20 different mycotoxins and other chemical contaminants including melamine.
In the following interview, Tan Li-Mien, Regional Director - Asia for Romer Labs®, elaborates on how the company helps grain producers and feed manufacturers maintain product integrity and highlights the future trends of mycotoxin analysis.
Tan Li-Mien, Regional Director - Asia for Romer Labs®
What are the challenges in detecting mycotoxins? And what sort of quality is necessary in its analysis?
Sampling is the main challenge in detecting mycotoxin. Unlike other parameters commonly tested in the lab, such as protein, fibre or moisture content, in a sample lot, the mycotoxin contamination is unevenly distributed and we are measuring very minute units such as ppb/ppm. This makes accuracy a challenge. If the samples obtained are not representative of the lot, missed detection is likely. A mycotoxin sampling plan is therefore required for any facility performing the mycotoxin analysis.
The mycotoxin sampling plan comprises (a) the mycotoxin test procedure and (b) accept/reject limits.
The next challenge would be that customers now are not just interested in testing for the raw materials, which are usually grains or grain products, but are also keen to analyse their finished products. Some finished products can be rather complex in nature. For such sample types, sometimes rapid test kits may not be the best options.
How serious is the problem of mycotoxicosis in Asia? What is the role of Romer Labs® in addressing the problem?
Unlike microbial contamination, diseases due to mycotoxins are usually not acute but chronic. We have not heard of any serious mycotoxicosis in humans in Asia except the outbreak of aflatoxin in Kenya in 2004. This was due to the
consumption of heavily contaminated aflatoxin in
corn. This incidence resulted in more than 100 fatalities.
Also, in that same year, you may have heard that more than 100 cats/dogs died (in Singapore and Taiwan) after consuming some commercial pet food. The culprit was suspected to be mycotoxin contamination - though not fully proven even till today. It might have been multi-factorial.
As a commercial company, how we could help the industry is to increase the awareness of mycotoxins- they are natural contaminants and we cannot control its prevalence; but we can manage the risks due to mycotoxin contamination. We have been conducting seminars (with workshops) on mycotoxins in the region.
What are the legal issues and litigation connected to mycotoxins?
We are not involved in the litigation aspect (outside the US) but certainly there are regulations for mycotoxins in most countries. Different countries have different action levels; with the EU being the most stringent in terms of limits. Take aflatoxin, for example. In EU, the regulatory limit is 4ppb for total aflatoxin and 2ppb for aflatoxin B1 in food. In other countries, this could be 10ppb or 20ppb depending on the type of food commodities. One may refer to the CODEX or EU directives for official levels.
What do food/ feed quality managers have to consider when using rapid tests?
Apart from finding out the specifications of the kits when considering rapid test kits for mycotoxin analysis, one needs to know if the commodities of interest have been validated by the suppliers. This would assure the performance and hence the reliability of the results obtained. Rapid test kits are good screening tools and should there be any positive results, they are to be verified by reference methods. Hence, it is pertinent for QC managers to know what other services and support the supplier offers other than the products per se.
Do you observe a higher demand for Romer Labs® products now especially with customers keen on safety and quality issues? Why or why not?
Absolutely! With increasing awareness through the media or conferences, tighter regulations and competition amongst themselves, the food and feed industries must be on the alert at all times.
Could you tell us more aboutRomer Labs® total quality system (TQA)?
The concept was developed in our US office to provide key accounts in managing the risks of mycotoxins through a TQA programme. The programme requires a close working relationship with the customers concerned. We help clients maintain product integrity through key elements of this programme, which includes providing training, reliable results, inter-laboratory testing and results verification using HPLC.
What are the future trends of mycotoxin analysis?
The trend is for multi-toxin detection in single analysis. This is possible with the LC-MSMS technology - though we do not sell this highly sophisticated instrument, we are able to offer the analytical method, calibrants and clean up columns for the customers. This technology started in research laboratories but has gradually found its place in public as well as private laboratories where mycontoxins analysis is performed.
What is Romer Labs® doing in keeping up with the demands of the industry?
We continue to expand our product line in the food safety arena, that is, beyond mycotoxin. This includes GMO, Allergens, Histamine, Drug Residues and others.
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