COCERAL report on the use of substances to protect stored grains and oil seeds

In a report of the European association of cereals (02/2018 COCERAL) it is stated that the use of fumigants to prevent an infestation of insects in warehouses has risen between 2006 and 2016. One reason the association gives for this is that the number of insecticides in use has declined a lot, because permission for their use has run out. Figures show that the use of fumigants like phosphane and sulfuryl fluoride has risen at every level of production of oil seeds and grain. It is now the most important measure for successful insect management in agriculture.

Testing and legal regulations for phosphane and sulfuryl fluoride

The Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratory network offers the detection of fumigants like phosphane and sulfuryl fluoride in cereals and oilseeds as well as in pseudo cereals, legumes, spices, nuts, herbs and dried fruits at one location. By analyzing relevant fumigants at one site, possible transport-related gas losses out of the sample can be avoided.

To protect food in silos or sea containers from attack by feeding pests such as moths, beetles and mites, fumigants like phosphane and sulfuryl fluoride are used, among others.

Phosphane is determined as the total sum of phosphane and phosphide salts according to the maximum residue limit definition (Regulation (EC) No 396/2005). For conventional foods, matrix-based limits between 0.01 and 0.7 mg/kg are applied in the EU. In organic cultivation the use of phosphane in empty containers and silos is allowed, but not for the food itself. The recommended BNN (German Association of Organic Processors, Wholesalers and Retailers) orientation value is <0.01 mg/kg. The acceptance of organic food containing over 0.001 mg/kg is currently being questioned in Switzerland (see Bio-Suisse, federation of Swiss organic farmers).

Since 2009 the approval of sulfuryl fluoride by the BVL (German Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety) includes its application in dried fruit, as well as for the disinfection of empty mills and rooms, and its application on nuts, as well as for various types of cereals, which are stored in warehouses or under gas-tight tarpaulins.

For sulfuryl fluoride, matrix-based maximum limits between 0.01-0.02 mg/kg (excluding 0.05 mg/kg for cereals and 10 mg/kg for nuts) are applied. The orientation value of  <0.01 mg/kg recommended by the BNN also applies here.

If you want more information, please contact your account manager or directly our expert Katrin Rentsch.