[Studies and safety evaluation of aflatoxins in herbal plants].

Herbs and herbal products are commonly used in food and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this study was to test herbal plants for contamination with aflatoxins (AF), genotoxic, cancerogenic and hepatotoxic compounds which can cause immunotoxic and allergic effects as well as growth disorders. Aflatoxins were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post column derivatization involving bromination with pyridinium hydrobromide perbromide (PBPB).

[Monitoring programme of T-2 and HT-2 toxins level in cereal products].

In framework of the national monitoring program in Poland HPLC method for determination of T-2 and HT-2 toxins in cereal products was developed, validated and accredited. Simply, one-step extraction and HPLC MS/MS ESI+ method was used for determination both toxins. Performance of method (recovery, precision and uncertainty of results) is in line with Commission Regulation No 401/2006.

[Monitoring programs realized by the State Sanitary Inspection concerning the contamination of selected foodstuffs by mycotoxins].

National monitoring plans, concerning mycotoxins levels in foodstuffs of plant origin in Poland are showed. The official control program for contaminates in food, including mycotoxins, is created by Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, on the basis of the draft prepared in National Institute of Hygiene and approved by Chief Sanitary Inspector. Results of monitoring programme for domestic market: aflatoxins in selected foodstuffs, mycotoxins in baby food and Fusarium toxin in baby food and maize-based foodstuffs, in years 2004-2006 were presented.

[European Union legislation related to patulin].

In the following review, European Union legislation concerning maximum level of patulin in foodstuffs was reported. Commission Regulation (EC) No 1425/2003 of 11 August 2003 amending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001, Commission Directive 2003/78/EC of 11 August 2003 laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of the levels of patulin in foodstuffs and Commission Recommendation of 11 August 2003 on the prevention and reduction of patulin contamination in apple juice and apple juice ingredients in other beverages as regards patulin was reported.