Annual Reports on Surveillance and Monitoring for Harmful Chemical Substances in Animal Feed (in the fiscal year 2014)

1 Mycotoxins

A total of 233 formula feed samples and 238 feed ingredient samples of 33 types was subjected to monitoring program conducted by FAMIC (Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center) for 26 mycotoxins. The results of monitoring for aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone regulated by the guiding tolerance of toxic substances from April 2014 to March 2015 are summarized as follows.

1.1 Aflatoxin B1

A total of 221 formula feed samples was analyzed for aflatoxin B1. The highest value was 0.004 mg/kg in formula feed for chicken. No sample exceeded the standard values (0.01 mg/kg for growing animals and milking cow, 0.02 mg/kg for the other livestocks) set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (hereinafter the same).
A total of 228 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for aflatoxin B1. Aflatoxin B1 was detected mainly from corn, by-products of corn and soybean by-products. The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows:
0.014 mg/kg in corn imported from the USA,
0.003 mg/kg in the domestic corn gluten feed,
0.001 mg/kg in the domestic corn gluten meal,
0.001 mg/kg in corn DDGS imported from the USA,
0.0008 mg/kg in the domestic soybean meal,
0.001 mg/kg in the domestic corn germ meal ,
0.0007 mg/kg in corn DDG imported from the USA and
0.009 mg/kg in the domestic hominy feed.

1.2 Deoxynivalenol

A total of 215 formula feed samples was analyzed for deoxynivalenol. The highest value was 0.75 mg/kg in formula feed for beef cattle. No sample exceeded the standard values (4 mg/kg for the cattle (over 3-month-old), 1 mg/kg for the other livestocks).
A total of 228 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for deoxynivalenol. Deoxynivalenol was detected mainly from corn, grain, by-products of corn and grain, milo, rice bran and soybean meal. The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows:
0.57 mg/kg in corn imported from the USA,
7.0 mg/kg in corn gluten feed imported from China,
0.94 mg/kg in the domestic wheat bran,
1.7 mg/kg in corn DDGS imported from the USA,
0.36 mg/kg in corn gluten meal imported from China,
1.2 mg/kg in wheat imported from Canada,
0.18 mg/kg in milo imported from the USA,
0.71 mg/kg in corn DDG imported from the USA,
0.58 mg/kg in the domestic hominy feed,
0.34 mg/kg in corn gluten meal imported from China,
0.58 mg/kg in the domestic hominy feed,
0.10 mg/kg in soybean meal imported from the USA,
0.15 mg/kg in the domestic rice bran,
0.03 mg/kg in barley imported from Russia,
0.90 mg/kg in the domestic defatted rice bran and
1.3 mg/kg in the domestic corn germ meal.

1.3 Zearalenone

A total of 215 formula feed samples was analyzed for zearalenone. The highest value was 0.10 mg/kg in formula feed for dairy cattle. No sample exceeded the standard value (1 mg/kg).
A total of 228 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for zearalenone. Zearalenone was detected mainly from corn, grain, by-products of corn and grain, milo, rice bran, soybean by-products, rice bran, rapeseed meal and sesame meal. The highest values in each ingredient were as follows:
0.22 mg/kg in corn imported from the USA,
0.008 mg/kg in soybean meal imported from China,
0.54 mg/kg in corn gluten feed imported from China,
0.010 mg/kg in the domestic wheat bran,
0.084 mg/kg in corn DDGS imported from the USA,
0.93 mg/kg in corn gluten meal imported from China,
0.016 mg/kg in the domestic rapeseed meal,
0.003 mg/kg in wheat imported from Canada,
0.004 mg/kg in the domestic defatted rice bran,
0.082 mg/kg in corn DDG imported from the USA,
0.049 mg/kg in the domestic corn germ meal,
0.061 mg/kg in the domestic hominy feed,
0.033 mg/kg in the domestic rice bran,
0.32 mg/kg in milo imported from the USA,
0.002 mg/kg in barley imported from Russia,
0.009 mg/kg in the domestic soy sauce cake and
0.001 mg/kg in the domestic sesame meal.

2 Heavy metals

A total of 144 formula feed samples, 30 feed ingredient samples such as fish meal and five samples of rice straw was subjected to monitoring program conducted by FAMIC for cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury, which were established the standard value by MAFF.

2.1 Cadmium

A total of 144 formula feed samples was analyzed for cadmium. The highest value was 0.28 mg/kg in formula feed for chicken. No sample exceeded the standard value (1 mg/kg).
One rice straw sample imported from China was analyzed for arsenic. The value was 0.11 mg/kg. No sample exceeded the standard value (1 mg/kg).
A total of 30 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for cadmium. The highest value was 1.9 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the standard value (3 mg/kg).

2.2 Lead

A total of 144 formula feed samples was analyzed for lead. The highest value was 0.60 mg/kg in formula feed for chicken. No sample exceeded the standard value (3 mg/kg).
One rice straw sample imported from China was analyzed for arsenic. The value was 1.0 mg/kg. No sample exceeded the standard value (3 mg/kg).
A total of 30 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for lead. The highest value was 4.4 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the standard value (7 mg/kg).

2.3 Mercury

A total of 144 formula feed samples was analyzed for mercury. The highest value was 0.09 mg/kg in formula feed for suckling pig. No sample exceeded the standard value (0.4 mg/kg).
One rice straw sample imported from China was analyzed for arsenic. The value was 0.02 mg/kg. No sample exceeded the standard value (0.4 mg/kg).
A total of 30 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for mercury. The highest value was 0.85 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the standard value (1 mg/kg).

2.4 Arsenic

A total of 29 formula feed samples was analyzed for arsenic. The highest value was 0.47 mg/kg in formula feed for growing chicks. No sample exceeded the standard value (2 mg/kg).
Five rice straw samples were analyzed for arsenic. The highest value was 3.8 mg/kg in the sample imported from China. No sample exceeded the standard value (7 mg/kg).
A total of 22 fish meals was analyzed for arsenic. The highest value was 8.4 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the standard value (15 mg/kg).

3 Agricultural chemicals

Formula feed and feed ingredient samples were subjected to the monitoring program conducted by FAMIC for a total of 52583 data for 138 agricultural chemicals. No sample exceeded the maximum residue limits set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
For formula feed, a total of 203 samples was tested for 130 agricultural chemicals.
As a result, the following nine agricultural chemicals were detected:
Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in 29 samples and the highest value was 500 µg/kg.
Chlorpyrifos-methyl was detected in 20 samples and the highest value was 330 µg/kg.
Malathion was detected in four samples and the highest value was 68 µg/kg.
Bifenthrin was detected in two samples and the highest value was 27 µg/kg.
Chlorpropham was detected in one formula feed for starting broiler chick etc. and the value was 34 µg/kg.
Cyhalothrin was detected in one formula feed for chicken and the value was 32 µg/kg.
Fenitrothion was detected in one formula feed for growing chick and the value was 66 µg/kg.
Propetamphos was detected in one formula feed for growing pig and the value was 20 µg/kg.

For feed ingredients, a total of 246 samples was tested for 136 agricultural chemicals.
As a result, the following 22 agricultural chemicals were detected:
Chlorpyrifos-methyl was detected in 11 samples and the highest value was 100 µg/kg in the domestic rapeseed meal.
Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in seven samples and the highest value was 720 µg/kg in corn imported from Brazil.
Malathion was detected in six samples and the highest value was 110 µg/kg in the domestic wheat bran.
Tebuconazole was detected in four samples and the highest value was 660 µg/kg in oat hay imported from Australia.
Atrazine was detected in two samples and the highest value was 72 µg/kg in Sudangrass imported from the USA.
Glufosinate was detected in two samples and the highest value was 49 µg/kg in corn imported from the USA.
Deltamethrin and tralomethrin was detected in two samples and the highest value was 130 µg/kg in milo imported from Argentina.
Bifenthrin was detected in two samples and the highest value was 56 µg/kg in timothy hay imported from Canada.
Dimepiperate was detected in two samples. The highest value was 39 µg/kg in oat hay imported from Australia.
Metolachlor was detected in two samples and the highest value was 46 µg/kg in oat hay imported from Australia.
Chlorpyrifos was detected in one corn imported from Brazil and the value was 55 µg/kg in corn imported from Brazil.
Cyhalothrin was detected in one Sudangrass imported from the USA and the value was 380 µg/kg.
Fenitrothion was detected in one domestic bakery waste and the value was 22 µg/kg.
Chlorthal-dimethyl was detected in one alfalfa imported from the USA and the value was 55 µg/kg.
Difenoconazole was detected in one beet pulp imported from Chile and the value was 30 µg/kg.
Trifluralin was detected in one wheaten hay imported from Australia and the value was 28 µg/kg.
Fenbuconazole was detected in one Sudangrass imported from the USA and the value was 32 µg/kg.
Procymidone was detected in one oat hay imported from Australia and the value was 20 µg/kg.
Propargite was detected in one timothy hay imported from the USA and the value was 120 µg/kg.
Propiconazole was detected in one barley straw imported from Australia and the value was 310 µg/kg.
Propetamphos was detected in one domestic bakery waste and the value was 250 µg/kg.

4 Other contaminants

4.1 Melamine

A total of 16 samples of formula feed was analyzed for melamine. The highest value was 0.08 mg/kg. No sample exceeded the standard value (2.5 mg/kg).
A total of 16 samples of fish meal was analyzed for melamine. The highest value was 2.0 mg/kg. No sample exceeded the standard value (2.5 mg/kg).

4.2 Nitrate form nitrogen

A total of 13 hay samples, including seven of Sudangrass and six of alfalfa was analyzed for nitrate form nitrogen. The highest values of each type of hay were 1100 mg/kg in Sudangrass imported from the USA and 830 mg/kg in alfalfa imported from the USA. When these hays are used for feeding, the following guideline should be referred and pay special attention to the handling of the grass.

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