Update to Certificate Method References

All of our test certificates contain a reference to the laboratory method used to measure each parameter. Previously your test certificate would have listed one or more of the following references:

• TW060 (Fusarium and Aspergillus mycotoxins)
• TW061 (Penicillium mycotoxins)
• TW009 (Dry Matter)

From February 20 onwards these references will change to the references below:

• 1644916 (Fusarium and Aspergillus mycotoxins)
• 1733290 (Penicillium mycotoxins)
• 1528914 (Dry Matter)

This change is due to an internal systems update as part of the continued integration of the Micron Bio-Systems business.

Only the method references have changed. The methods themselves remain the same.

Methods that were previously accredited to ISO 17025 continue to be so without interruption. This change will also soon be reflected in our UKAS schedule of accreditation.

if you have any questions about this update, please contact Rob Furmage, Technical Services Manager at rob.furmage@volac.com

Leading dairy nutrition company Volac has announced its acquisition of Micron Bio-Systems, the UK based bio-science solutions business.

Micron Bio-Systems make and sell silage additives, mycotoxin remediation, nutraceuticals and environmental products at its sites at Bridgwater, UK and Virginia, USA. Micron also has a state of the art, UKAS certified, testing facility for mycotoxin determination in feedstuffs.

“This acquisition is the latest development in our ambitious growth plans at Volac” says David Neville, Managing Director Volac Animal Nutrition. “Micron Bio-Systems is a successful business with an established reputation for providing innovation and quality products, advice and for really caring about their customers. The acquisition has a strong strategic fit with all elements of the Volac Animal Nutrition strategy which is based on advancing sustainable livestock production efficiency through technical leadership”.

The addition of the Micron products will strengthen the Volac ability to serve and develop feed additive applications for a rapidly changing industry. A new area for Volac, a feed additive business, will provide a platform for new product development and allow for greater alignment with future industry challenges, such as improving rumen microbial fermentation, efficient production and reducing emissions.

We would like to welcome our new Micron colleagues to Volac and look forward to working with them to further develop the business.”

The Mycocheck laboratory once again received excellent scores in the latest proficiency testing round organised by FAPAS.  After analysing an unknown sample of maize flour, the laboratory received a perfect score of 0.0 for Fumonisin B1 and Total Fumonisins.  A similarly good score of -0.4 was achieved for Fumonisin B2.

The closer a laboratory’s submitted value is to the true (agreed) mycotoxin level, the closer their score is to 0.  Scores of less than 2 indicate acceptable method performance.

Taking part in these interlaboratory comparison rounds is a key part of maintaining accreditation to ISO 17025, and demonstrates the ability of the Mycocheck service to deliver accurate results across a wide range of sample types.

The Mycocheck laboratory was also the first lab to submit results out of 43 participants, showing that it is possible to combine quality results with quick turnaround times.

Mycocheck is pleased to announce that they have been successfully awarded accreditation to international standard ISO 17025:2017.

Following a successful audit by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), Mycocheck’s purpose-developed multi-mycotoxin method is accredited for measuring 12 common mycotoxins in animal feed materials.

The Mycocheck service is accredited for the determination of the following mycotoxins in animal feeds, including compound feed, forage, and grains.

• Deoxynivalenol (DON)
• Zearalenone (ZON)
• Fumonisin B1 and B2
• T2 and HT2 Toxin
• Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2
• Ochratoxin A (OTA)
• Diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)

A copy of the accreditation certificate and schedule can be found here.

Following a meeting of the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) on 10 – 12 February 2020, it was suggested that the maximum guidance level of mycotoxins in feed be reduced.

The proposed new guidance levels (ppm) are as follows:

Fumonisin B1 and Fumonisin B2

	Current Level	Proposed Levels
Maize and Maize Products	60	30
Compound Feed for Ruminants	50	30
Compound Feed for Poultry	20	20
Compound Feed for Pigs	5	1

T2 and HT2 Toxins

	Current Level	Proposed Level
Oats	2	1
Other Cereals	0.5	0.5
Compound Feed for Ruminants	0.25	0.2
Compound Feed for Poultry (Layers)	0.25	0.5
Compound Feed for Poultry	0.25	0.1
Compound Feed for Pigs	0.25	0.2
Compound Feed for Farmed Fish	0.25	0.5

Deoxynivalenol

	Current Level	Proposed Level
Cereals and Cereal Products	8	5.5
Maize by-products	12	8
Compound Feed	5	3.5
Compound Feed for Pigs	0.9	0.5
Compound Feed for Calves and Lambs	2	1.5
Compound Feed for Fish	5	0.4

Zearalenone

	Current Level	Proposed Level
Cereals and Cereal Products	2	1
Maize by-products	3	1.5
Sugar beet pulp / products	–	0.5
Soybean and derived products	–	0.5
Compound Feed for Ruminants	0.5	0.5
Compound Feed for Piglets	0.1	0.1
Compound Feed for Pigs	0.25	0.25

The limits for the majority of commodities could be significantly reduced if the proposals are accepted.  With ever tightening regulations on feed, the need for accurate and reliable testing methods becomes even more important to protect against financial losses due to poor quality feed.  A modern analytical technique, capable of detecting all the above mycotoxins from a single sample is the best way to ensure your compliance.