Regulatory limits for ergot alkaloids and ergot sclerotia in grains
Reduction of EU maximum levels planned for 2024 partially postponed
July 2024 (update). On 25 August 2021, with the Regulation (EU) No. 2021/1399 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, the EU published maximum levels of ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids. These limit values took effect with the start of January 2022. In May 2023, the maximum levels were transferred to the new European Contaminants Regulation (EU) 2023/915[1]. With the exception of corn, rice and rye, the limit for ergot sclerotia was lowered to 0.2 g/kg for unprocessed grains. For unprocessed rye, the previous limit of 0.5 g/kg applies for the time being. Furthermore, a limit for the concentration of ergot alkaloid in milled grain products was newly included.
In July 2024, some further reductions of maximum levels for ergot alkaloids and ergot sclerotia originally planned for July 2024 were postponed by the Regulation (EU) 2024/1808 of 1 July 2024 amending Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
Regulatory limits for ergot alkaloids in different grains and products
Since the concentration of ergot alkaloids can vary considerably in ergot sclerotia and thus the ergot infestation and the alkaloid content do not necessarily correlate, a differentiation of the maximum levels is necessary. For milled products derived from barley, wheat, spelt or oats with an ash content of less than 900 mg/100 g, an ergot alkaloid limit of 100 µg/kg applies, being further reduced to 50 µg/kg for barley, spelt and oats in July 2024. For similar products derived from wheat the reduction of the maximum level to 50 µg/kg is postponed to July 2028. For the same types of grain products with a higher ash content or sold directly to the end consumer, the maximum level of ergot alkaloid is set at 150 µg/kg. The maximum level of ergot alkaloids in wheat gluten is 400 µg/kg. As an open pollination species, rye is generally more susceptible to infestation, which is accounted for by a higher maximum level. Milled rye products will therefore very soon be subject to an ergot alkaloid limit of 500 µg/kg. The reduction of this maximum level to 250 µg/kg was postponed to July 2028. From January 2022, a maximum level of 20 µg/kg for ergot alkaloids in grain-based food for infants and toddlers was introduced.
The reduction of ergot sclerotia in unprocessed rye grains from 0.5 g/kg to 0.2 g/kg planned for July 2024 has been postponed to July 1st, 2025 with the final Draft Regulation.
The occurrence of ergot
Ergot refers to the dark, crescent-shaped sclerotia formed by Claviceps, a fungus genus. It can occur on grass and the ears of grain, especially in damp weather. The fungal metabolites build up in the body of the fungus, including ergot alkaloids, which are one of more than 50 identified varieties of tryptophan-derived alkaloids. According to a Scientific Report of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), six ergot alkaloids and their epimers account for most cases and are therefore the most important members of this substance class. Namely, these are ergometrine, ergotamine, ergosine, ergocristine, ergocryptine, and their corresponding -inine epimers.
Ergot alkaloid toxicity
Ingesting a high volume of ergot alkaloids can lead to mycotoxicosis, which in turn can cause ergotism and eventually result in circulatory disorders and, consequently, potential limb loss. Due to improvements to agriculture and processing methods, as well as good analytical surveillance, there are no longer large outbreaks of ergotism today.
Analysis of ergot alkaloids
Our experts from the Competence Centre of Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Germany for Mycotoxins and Plant Toxins, Eurofins WEJ Contaminats GmbH, offer analysis of all relevant ergot alkaloids using LC-MS/MS. With these methods, the 12 ergot alkaloids most frequently mentioned in the EFSA assessment can be detected with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 3 µg/kg.
In addition, we offer the analysis of a comprehensive spectrum of regulated and non-regulated mycotoxins and plant toxins in all common food and feed matrices.
Do you have questions about the analysis of ergot alkaloids?
Contact our expert Carina Kellner or your personal account manager.
Relevant Regulations
[1] Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (Contaminants-Regulation)
