Version: 8 Date: June 2008

Transcription

1 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE IMPORTATION, HANDLING AND DISTRIBUTION OF COPRA CAKE (INCLUDING MEAL AND PELLETS) FOR SUPPLY TO THE DAIRY INDUSTRY Version: 8 Date: June 2008 New Zealand Feed Manufactures Association (Inc) Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand 96 D Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland, 1023 P. O. Box 3413, Shortland Street, Auckland Tel: Fax: Tel: Fax: info@pianz.org.nz secretariat@dcanz.co.nz

2 Table of Contents Page Number 1. Background 1 2. Objective 1 3. Scope 1 4. Guidance 2 5. Origin of Copra Cake, Meals and Pellets 2 6. Analysis of Products On Arrival of Shipments During Storage Analysis of Finished Feed Limits of Detection 5 7. Disposal of Product 5 8. Traceability 7 9. Product Transport Recommendations On-farm Storage Recommendations Documentation and Records Non-conformance Process 8 Appendix 1. New Zealand Laboratories Accredited by MAF for Aflatoxin B1 Testing Appendix 2. Sampling protocol for aflatoxin in copra i

3 1. Background It is recognised that copra is susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxins are potent toxic carcinogenic mutagenic immunosuppressive agents, produced as secondary metabolites by the fungus Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus on a variety of food products. Food products that can be contaminated with aflatoxins include cereal (e.g. maize, pearl millet, rice, and wheat), oilseeds (e.g. groundnut, soy bean, sunflower, and cotton), spices (e.g. chillies, black pepper, coriander, and turmeric), tree nuts (e.g. almonds, pistachio, walnuts and coconut), groundnuts and milk. At the time when this code was developed (2007/2008), copra was the only raw material used by the Dairy Industry in New Zealand in which aflatoxins had been demonstrated to regularly exceed 5 ppb. Aflatoxin M1 and M2 are major metabolites, found in the milk of animals that have consumed feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1 and B2 respectively. Overseas markets (and predominantly the EU) require that milk containing a level of aflatoxin M1 greater than 0.05 ppb (or 0.05 µg/kg) is unacceptable for manufacturing. Limits for infant formulae are set at ppb (or µg/kg). Aflatoxin M1 is heat stable and as such is not destroyed by pasteurisation. 2. Objective To ensure that: levels of aflatoxin B1 are eliminated or minimised to below agreed levels for copra cake, meal and pellets to be used as feed materials, copra cake, meal and pellets to be used as feed materials for lactating dairy animals are fit for purpose. 3. Scope This Code of Practice relates specifically to the control of aflatoxins in copra. It does not address the overall quality (including nutritional value) of copra. It is recommended that, as with all other feed ingredients, all users of copra, including farmers and feed manufacturers, routinely monitor the quality (e.g. nutrient content and fat quality) of copra purchased. 1

4 4. Guidance European Parliament Directive 2003/100/EC stipulates that all feed materials shall have a maximum content 0.02 mg/kg or 20 ppb aflatoxin B1 relative to a feedingstuff with a moisture content of 12 percent. However, more stringent maximums are laid out for specific animal feed classes such as lactating dairy cattle. The limit for aflatoxin B1 in complete and complementary feeds are shown in Table 1. Table 1: EU Aflatoxin B1 limits for complete and complementary feeds Complete feeds for Limit (mg /kg) ppb Cattle, sheep and goats with the exception of Lactating dairy animals Calves and lambs Pigs and poultry Other Complementary feeds for Cattle, sheep and goats (except for lactating dairy animals, calves and lambs) Pigs and poultry (except young animals) Other complementary feedstuffs Origin of Copra Cake, Meal and Pellets Copra cake, meal and pellets are by-products of the processing of dried Copra to extract coconut oil. The quality of the dried copra will range from country to country as copra is essentially a small holder cash crop produced at village level and sold into the supply chain on an ad hoc basis. Aflatoxins are produced by fungi which contaminate the copra when microscopic spores in the ground are transferred to fresh coconut meat when sterile nuts are cracked open on sand, soil or grass. This can be accentuated when the nuts are left in this state for several days before the copra is dried. It may also occur when coconut meal is placed in contaminated storage. Processed copra may also be contaminated in this way if the moisture content of the processed copra exceeds 12 % and is contaminated with fungal spores after processing. 2

5 To combat this problem, importers must encourage millers and their suppliers to adopt the following practices:- 1. Harvest coconuts when as soon as possible after ripening (falling) 2. Keep nuts off the ground during cutting. Utilise a manmade surface such as concrete, tarmac, wooden platform, corrugated iron, tarpaulin, plastic sheeting etc when cutting the green copra. 3. Copra must be dried within 24 hours of cutting. If copra is sun dried, ensure adequate protection from rain whilst drying. 4. Final product should have a moisture content of less than 10 % and should be dried as quickly as possible. 5. Demonstrate Good Manufacturing Practice around storage 6. All mouldy copra should be rejected. Where possible testing should be undertaken prior to loading. The Biosecurity New Zealand (Plants) Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Processed Animal Feeds of Plant Origin (Section 7.3) must apply thereafter. This is available on the Biosecurity New Zealand website: 6. Analysis of Product 6.1 On Arrival of Shipments Qualitative testing must be undertaken on delivery to New Zealand by a MAF accredited laboratory (see Appendix 1 for details) for presence and levels of aflatoxin B1. A copy of the sampling protocol and the results must accompany the shipment. An example of an approved sampling protocol is included in Appendix 2. No product is to be sold for use as a feed ingredient until the importer has test results from an independent MAF accredited laboratory which clearly states the level of aflatoxin present in the product. No product is to be sold for feeding direct to lactating animals until the seller has test results from an independent MAF accredited laboratory confirming that the product contains less than 5 ppb aflatoxin B1. Any mouldy product must be rejected. 6.2 During Storage Where copra is stored for more than a month, a monitoring programme must be established for stored product. This programme must include a regular and comprehensive schedule of 3

6 testing and must detail the analytical methods and limits of detection used as part of routine monitoring. 1. Stored product must be sampled according to an appropriate sampling protocol (see Appendix 2). 2. Samples may be analysed by a. A MAF accredited laboratory (see appendix 1 for details) b. Using one of the rapid detection kits approved for aflatoxin testing by the United States Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) and listed in the Aflatoxin Handbook, available on line at: Where a rapid detection kit is used and a claim to a specific detection limit is made the test kit used must be specifically verified for Copra. Furthermore, it must be noted that there are multiple barriers to testing feed in a non-laboratory environment including: Rapid tests are only semi quantitative and most will only give a negative/positive result. They are unlikely to be able to detect levels as low as 5 ppb (see section 6.4). The mixing of the feed in preparation for testing is a difficult process in a laboratory, let alone in the field, and requires specialized equipment that can be completely cleaned between samples. 3. Product, stored for longer than a month, must be sampled and analysed at least once a month. Any increase in the period between tests should only occur if sufficient testing has been undertaken to demonstrate the decreased frequency of testing continues to provide the same level of certainty about product quality and aflatoxin levels. 6.3 Analysis of Finished Feed for lactating cows Feed Manufacturers using copra in complete feeds for lactating dairy cows are not currently required to analyse samples from complete feeds containing copra for the presence of aflatoxins, on condition that 1. Any copra included in complete feeds for lactating animals is shown to contain less than 20 ppb aflatoxin when tested by a MAF accredited laboratory (see Appendix 1 for details) 2. Copra is included at no more than 15 % of the compounded feed. It is recommended that where copra is used in compound feeds for lactating animals, feed manufacturers implement a quality assurance programme and randomly test batches of those complete feeds containing copra and intended for lactating animals for the presence and levels of aflatoxin. 4

7 6.4 Limits of Detection Test sensitivity is a key concern when testing for presence / absence of mycotoxins. This is particularly true where rapid test methods are used. For example, the majority of bulk copra tested on dairy farms in New Zealand has been around 15 ppb and would test negative to most rapid tests, which generally have a limit of detection of 20 ppb. However, 15 ppb of aflatoxin in copra has still caused significant M1 violations in milk when fed in bulk. Therefore when analysing copra intended for use in lactating animals the test used must have a limit of detection which is a maximum of 5 ppb. An additional test with a limit of detection of a maximum of 20 ppb can be used when determining the suitability of copra for use in complete feeds or for direct feeding to non-lactating animals. It will work out cheaper, be more accurate, independent, and convenient and give the dairy industry a greater assurance of safety, if samples are regularly sent to one of the approved labs for testing rather than using a rapid test kit. If a really robust and good sampling method is set up, one sample could be representative of a large storage / shipment of feed. Please Note: If semi-quantitative tests are to be used for the determination of aflatoxin levels in copra they must be GIPSA approved Validated for copra and Have a lower limit of detection of a maximum of 5 ppb where copra is to be fed to lactating animals. 7. Disposal of Product On receipt of test results which verify that a shipment contains less than 5 ppb aflatoxin B1 that shipment can be sold and distributed for consumption by lactating cows. On receipt of test results which verify that a shipment contains less than 20 ppb aflatoxin B1 that shipment can be sold to compound feed manufacturers or for use as a feed for nonlactating animals. Please Note: Bulk copra above 5 ppb cannot be fed to lactating dairy animals. Copra may be used as in compounded feed, for lactating dairy cows, if the final compounded feed has an aflatoxin level of 5 ppb or less. As a guide copra should not make up more than 15% of the compounded feed. 5

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9 Product supplied to farmers must meet the specifications. Specific information must be supplied to farmers by way of either labelling and/or invoice. For example, This copra has been tested at a level of less than 5 ppb and is therefore suitable for feeding to lactating dairy animals and the reverse of this when the feed is unsuitable for feeding to dairy animals. A copy of the test results for the batch must also be supplied to the purchaser along with the invoice. The onus is on the importer/distributor to make aflatoxin test results freely available to product users. Other options for disposal are available to importers but the seller of the copra is obliged to inform any purchaser intending to use the product in animal feed of the levels of aflatoxin in the product and especially if this exceeds 20 ppb. Product may also be sold to non-feed users or disposed of in a safe dump. 8. Traceability It is essential that batches of copra with different or unknown aflatoxin levels are kept separate during transport and storage. Where different batches of copra are combined, the level of aflatoxin present in the combined batch will be that of the batch with the greatest level of contamination. For example if a batch of copra with 5 ppb aflatoxin is combined with a batch containing 20 ppb aflatoxin, the new batch will be considered to have an aflatoxin contamination level of 20 ppb. 9. Product Transport Recommendations 1. Transport vehicles to be clean, dry and free of previous cargo and any visible sign of mould. 2. Bagged product must be packed in clean/new bags. 3. Both bagged and bulk product must be protected from rain. 10. On-Farm Storage Recommendations 1. Good sanitation of storage structures is important to ensure that stored copra is not contaminated. 2. Product must be kept dry at all times. Moisture can rapidly cause damp, mouldy or spoiled product. 3. Product must not be stored directly on the ground. 4. Product must be stored in such away that access by birds, rodents, insects and other vermin is minimised. The implementation of an appropriate rodent / vermin control programme is also recommended. 7

10 5. Product must be stored in such a way as to prevent cross contamination with undesirable substances. This includes meat and bone meal and copra which contains levels of aflatoxin higher than that detailed in this code of practice. 6. Product should be stored in such a way as to prevent contact with tannalised timber. 7. Storage in feed silos or covered concrete bunkers is recommended. 8. Ideally product should not be stored in the open. If there is no alternative, the product can be stored in the open for short periods. If this occurs the product should be stored on concrete or tarmac and stored in a cool, dark and dry place. Covering the product with polyethylene sheets is not recommended as this will encourage heat build up, condensation and mould growth. If concrete or tarmac is not available, storage on a polyethylene sheet or similar waterproof material is advisable. 9. Storage areas must be designed to prevent any water run-off flowing into the storage area. On farm storage recommendations for Copra must be communicated to farmers by the distributor. Ideally this information should be included with the required docket information. 11. Documentation and Records Written procedures clearly outlining management systems up to the time of delivery on farm should be developed to ensure all Code of Practice requirements are met in full. Records of shipments and deliveries along with test results should be held for a minimum of two years, and made available for audit if requested. Sufficient documentation to maintain traceability by consignment must be kept. 12. Non conformance process Should it become apparent that copra (or compound feed containing copra) which is unfit for purpose has been sold to dairy farmers, the NZFMA and DCANZ must be notified immediately. Should dairy companies identify raw milk at levels of greater than 50 ppt, the feed manufacturer and/or raw material supplier and NZFMA will be notified immediately. The NZFSA ACVM Group and affected farmers should also be notified of the breach as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken where necessary. 8

11 Appendix 1: New Zealand Laboratories Accredited by MAF for Aflatoxin B1 Testing 1. AsureQuality Ltd Physical Address: 131 Boundary Road Blockhouse Bay Postal Address: P. O. Box 41 Auckland Phone: Fax: Contact: Pravina Chandra 2. Hill Laboratories Ltd Physical Address: 1 Clyde Street Hamilton Postal Address: Private Bag 3205 Hamilton 3240 Phone: Fax: Contact: Colin Malcolm 3. HortResearch Physical Address: Ruakura Research Centre East Street Hamilton 3214 Phone: Fax: Contact: Dennis Lauren NOTE: If you are aware of any additional New Zealand Laboratories accredited by MAF for aflatoxin testing, please advise the NZFMA Office. 9

12 Appendix 2: Sampling protocol for aflatoxin in copra 1. Definitions Lot Sublot Incremental sample Aggregate sample an identifiable quantity of copra delivered at one time and determined to have common characteristics, such as origin, variety, type of packaging and storage (including location and duration). designated part of a large lot in order to apply the sampling method on that designated part. Each sublot must be separate and identifiable. a quantity of material taken from a single place in the sublot. the combined total of all the incremental samples taken from the lot or sublot 2. Method In the course of sampling and preparation of sample precautions must be taken to avoid any changes which would affect the aflatoxin content, adversely affect the analytical determination or make the aggregate sample unrepresentative. Sampling procedure: Bagged samples Where copra is delivered or stored in bags, a representative sample of copra shall be obtained by collecting incremental samples from individual bags using a bag probe. Sampling frequency (SF) shall be determined according to the following formula SF = Lot weight x Weight of incremental sample. Weight of aggregate sample x weight of individual packaging Where SF = every n th sack or bag from which an incremental sample must be taken. Decimal figures should be rounded to the nearest whole number. Sampling procedure: Bulk samples Where copra is delivered or stored in bulk, a representative sample of copra shall be obtained by a. Dividing each lot in sublots according to table A1. In the case of lots of less than 15 tonnes, the lot is not divided into sublots but incremental samples must be collected throughout the whole depth of the layer and from different sites chosen at random in the bulk quantity. Division of a lot stored as a heap into sublots is illustrated in figure 1. 10

13 Where copra is stored in an enclosed silo, a minimum of 20 grab samples at point of dispatch should be collected for analysis. A total aggregate sample of at least 10 kg must be collected. NOTE: It should be noted that sampling is difficult and frequently not representative of product stored in the silos. Appropriate sampling and quality assurance programmes should be developed to address this. b. Each sublot must be sampled separately. c. Incremental samples should be at approximately 300 g in quantity. Incremental samples for each individual lot should be combined (to form the aggregate sample) and thoroughly mixed. d. Where the aggregate sample is greater than 10 kg, the sample should be thoroughly mixed and then split into three homogenous samples using appropriate equipment. Where aggregate samples are split, all three samples must be submitted to the laboratory for analysis. NOTE: Acceptance is based on all subsamples for any given lot meeting the maximum limit (e.g. 5 ppb for feeding to lactating animals). Table A1: Number of sublots and incremental samples to be taken depending on the weight of the lot of copra being sampled Lot weight (tonnes) Number of sublots Number of incremental samples per sublot Total number of incremental samples collected Approx. aggregate sample weight (kg) < > > > > > > > > < sublot / 100 tonnes 100 / number of sublots

14 Figure 1: Division of heaped lots into sublots for sampling purposes 3. References Anonymous, undated. Procedure for taking an animal feed sample. Copy provided by David Williams, Regulatory Programme Manager, Fonterra Milk Supply, P. O. Box 20261, Hamilton, New Zealand. European Commission, Commission Directive 98/53/EC laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of the levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. European Commission, Commission Directive 2002/27/EC amending directive 98/53/EC laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of the levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. Republic of South Africa, Government Notices: Regulations relating to the grading, packaging and marking of maize intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa. No. R