Occurrence of zearalenone in wheat- and corn-based products commercialized in the State of Paraná, Brazil.

The productivity of wheat and corn crops depends on climatic conditions and resistance against phytopathogenic fungi such as those of the genus Fusarium. Some species of this genus produce zearalenone (ZEA), a mycotoxin with hyperestrogenic effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of ZEA in samples of cracked wheat (n = 109), popcorn (n = 51) and corn grits (n = 50) commercialized in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Commercial samples of each crop were collected between September 2007 and June 2008 and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. The method used for detection of the mycotoxin in wheat and corn derivatives presented a recovery rate of 94.5% and 99.5%, respectively, detection limit of 40 µg.kg(-1) and quantification limit of 55 µg.kg(-1). No contamination with ZEA was detected in cracked wheat samples. Among the corn derivatives, only one cracked corn sample was contaminated with ZEA (64 µg.kg(-1)). Despite the low contamination observed, monitoring the occurrence of mycotoxins in foods is important to ensure safety.

Occurrence of zearalenone in wheat- and corn-based products commercialized in the State of Paraná, Brazil

The productivity of wheat and corn crops depends on climatic conditions and resistance against phytopathogenic fungi such as those of the genus Fusarium. Some species of this genus produce zearalenone (ZEA), a mycotoxin with hyperestrogenic effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of ZEA in samples of cracked wheat (n = 109), popcorn (n = 51) and corn grits (n = 50) commercialized in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Commercial samples of each crop were collected between September 2007 and June 2008 and analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. The method used for detection of the mycotoxin in wheat and corn derivatives presented a recovery rate of 94.5% and 99.5%, respectively, detection limit of 40 μg.kg-1 and quantification limit of 55 μg.kg-1. No contamination with ZEA was detected in cracked wheat samples. Among the corn derivatives, only one cracked corn sample was contaminated with ZEA (64 μg.kg-1). Despite the low contamination observed, monitoring the occurrence of mycotoxins in foods is important to ensure safety.

Rotulagem de alimentos como veículo de informaçäo ao consumidor: adequaçöes e irregularidades / Food labeling as a means of information to the consumer: adequacy and irregularities

Investigou-se a adequaçäo de 220 rótulos de alimentos de diferentes categorias com ênfase nos alimentos para fins especiais e os adicionados de nutrientes essenciais. Observou-se que a maioria dos fabricantes näo cumpre a legislaçäo brasileira em vigor, pois todos os rótulos analisados apresentaram alguma irregularidade. Verficou-se ausência de informaçöes sobre o modo de consevaçäo do produto (25 por cento) e sobre a presença de corante ou aroma artificial (16,77 por cento) nos alimentos. Também foram encontradas informaçöes que poderiam causar engano ao consumidor (19,9 por cento), incluindo alteraçöes de propriedades terapêuticas dos alimentos. Em mais de 50 por cento dos rótulos analisados, segundo a Resoluçäo RDC 40/01, foram consideradas incorreçöes relativas à informaçäo nutricional. As principais discordâncias em relaçäo às demais portarias vigentes envolveram informaçöes e declaraçöes obrigatórias e específicas de cada norma. Concluiu-se que a maioria dos rótulos dos produtos analisados encontravam-se em desacordo com a legislaçäo, havendo necessidade de fiscalizaçäo mais eficaz para reforçar o compromisso dos fabricantes com o consumidor