Fungi that form on cereals in fields and during storage can produce a very wide range of substances called mycotoxins. Depending on the type, the concentration, the animal species and its physiological stage, these molecules can have very different effects, some of which are irremediable.
Fungi that form on cereals in fields and during storage can produce a very wide range of substances called mycotoxins.Depending on the type, the concentration, the animal species and its physiological stage, these molecules can have very different effects, some of which are irremediable.
Around 75 % of mycotoxin tests carried out around the world turn out positive. This level of occurrence combined with the large diversity and natural stability of these fungi mean that it is impossible to wipe them out using current techniques. Zero risk doesn’t exist for mycotoxins and all foodstuffs contain them.
Biochemical solutions to reduce the impact of mycotoxins on animals are available. A broad range of different modes of action exist (physico-chemical trapping, immuno-stimulation, anti-oxidant action, hepato-protection etc.) that can be combined with each other. However, it means using food additives which can interact with other nutrients and act onthe physiological functions of the animal.
These products arenot used at SAFE. The SAFE team has opted for a prevention-based solution. This approach aims to prevent mould building up throughout the process: from the manufacture of the starting materials right up to the research laboratory.We have chosen to give priority to prevention without using chemical preservatives.
This means that our specifications are all the more strict. When we at SAFE procure our starting materials, we aim to prevent mycotoxins forming, from the field to the food bag:
- The origin of the starting materials selected by SAFE is constant. They always come from the same land. Despite their often attractive price, starting materials from zones deemed to represent a “high risk of mycotoxins”, such as Asia, the South Sea Islands, and Africa are not allowed.
- Suppliers are selected for their level of excellence, and then taken on by SAFE for the long-term and regularly audited.
- Preventative action plans maximise the quality of the cereals grown, harvested, transported and stored in accordance with the standards applied to baby food.
• Use of (non-GMO) varieties that resist fungal attacks.
• Monitoring and regular evaluation of the cultures for mycotoxin risk.
• Random food testing (baby food) - the starting materials are monitored and checked from harvesting through to dispatch of the finished products.
• Storage with natural air ventilation without storage insecticides.
• Crop rotation, which means for example that cereals cannot be grown after a harvest of corn. Storage conditions are monitored.
• For each new batch of products, the cleanliness of the storage silos is checked by SAFE. Doing this ensures that no traces of product are left behind that could represent a potential source of fermentation in the silos, thereby guaranteeing perfect traceability.
• The silos, like all SAFE storage zones, are totally protected from the outside by a double insulating wall. This wall ensures that storage conditions are perfectly managed, in terms of temperature and hygrometry.
14/03/2011
