Annual Reports on Surveillance and Monitoring for Harmful Chemical Substances in Animal Feed (in the fiscal year 2016)
1 Mycotoxins
A total of 197 formula feed samples and 198 feed ingredient samples of 59 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 2016 to March 2017 are summarized as follows.
1.1 Aflatoxin B1
A total of 179 formula feed samples was analyzed for aflatoxin B1. The highest value was 0.022 mg/kg in formula feed for growing piglets. No sample exceeded the action level (the value which must not be exceeded; 0.01 mg/kg for formula feed for milking cows) and the advisory levels (the guidance level to confirm the effectiveness of control measures taken by feed manufacturers to reduce contamination; 0.01 mg/kg for growing animals, 0.02 mg/kg for the other livestocks) set by MAFF (the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) (hereinafter the same). The value is rounded to two decimal place, thus the value 0.022 mg/kg did not exceed advisory level.
A total of 152 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for aflatoxin B1. Aflatoxin B1 was detected mainly from corn and soybean meal. One sample of corn imported from Brazil exceeded the advisory level. The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows:
0.037 mg/kg in corn imported from Brazil and
0.002 mg/kg in the domestic soybean meal.
1.2 Deoxynivalenol
A total of 179 formula feed samples was analyzed for deoxynivalenol. The highest value was 0.85 mg/kg in formula feed for cattles (intended neither to suckling calves nor to milking cows). No sample exceeded the advisory levels (4 mg/kg for formula feed for the cattle (over 3-month-old), 1 mg/kg for formula feed for the other livestocks and poultry).
A total of 177 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for deoxynivalenol. Deoxynivalenol was detected mainly from corn, corn by-products, wheat, wheat bran, rice bran, rapeseed meal and soybean meal. The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows:
4.3 mg/kg in corn gluten feed imported from China,
1.3 mg/kg in the domestic wheat bran,
0.34 mg/kg in the domestic wheat flour,
0.97 mg/kg in corn imported from the USA,
2.9 mg/kg in the domestic wheat,
0.021 mg/kg in the domestic rice bran, defatted,
0.34 mg/kg in the domestic rapeseed meal and
0.22 mg/kg in soybean meal imported from China.
1.3 Zearalenone
A total of 179 formula feed samples was analyzed for zearalenone. The highest value was 0.33 mg/kg in formula feed for growing piglets. No sample exceeded the advisory level (1 mg/kg for formula feed for livestock).
A total of 147 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for zearalenone. Zearalenone was detected mainly from rice bran, soybean meal, corn, wheat and wheat bran. The highest values in each ingredient were as follows:
0.012 mg/kg in the domestic rice bran, defatted,
0.06 mg/kg in soybean meal imported from China,
0.15 mg/kg in corn imported from the USA,
0.05 mg/kg in the domestic wheat flour,
0.019 mg/kg in the domestic wheat bran and
0.054 mg/kg in the domestic wheat.
2 Heavy metals
A total of 96 formula feed samples and 42 feed ingredient samples such as fish meal was subjected to monitoring program conducted by FAMIC for cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury, which were established the advisory levels by MAFF.
2.1 Cadmium
A total of 93 formula feed samples was analyzed for cadmium. The highest value was 0.21 mg/kg in formula feed for layers. No sample exceeded the advisory level (1 mg/kg).
A total of 35 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for cadmium. The highest value was 2.3 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the advisory level (3 mg/kg).
2.2 Lead
A total of 93 formula feed samples was analyzed for lead. The highest value was 1.3 mg/kg in formula feed for layers. No sample exceeded the advisory level (3 mg/kg).
A total of 35 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for lead. The highest value was 4.7 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the advisory level (7 mg/kg).
2.3 Mercury
A total of 91 formula feed samples was analyzed for mercury. The highest value was 0.11 mg/kg in formula feed for suckling calves. No sample exceeded the advisory level (0.4 mg/kg).
A total of 35 feed ingredient samples was analyzed for mercury. The highest value was 0.67 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the advisory level (1 mg/kg).
2.4 Arsenic
A total of 19 formula feed samples was analyzed for arsenic. The highest value was 0.58 mg/kg in formula feed for growing chick. No sample exceeded the advisory level (2 mg/kg).
Three rice straw sample imported from China were analyzed for arsenic. The highest value was 6.0 mg/kg (the advisory level: 7 mg/kg).
A total of 15 fish meals was analyzed for arsenic. The highest value was 6.6 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the advisory level (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 47825 data for 130 agricultural chemicals. No sample exceeded the maximum residue limit set by MAFF.
For formula feed, a total of 135 samples was tested for 123 agricultural chemicals.
As a result, the following eight agricultural chemicals were detected:
Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in 38 samples and the highest value was 560 µg/kg.
Chlorpyrifos-methyl was detected in 17 samples and the highest value was 340 µg/kg.
Bifenthrin was detected in seven samples and the highest value was 62 µg/kg.
Fenitrothion was detected in six samples and the highest value was 41 µg/kg.
Malathion was detected in three samples and the highest value was 140 µg/kg.
Chlorpyrifos was detected in three samples and the highest value was 72 µg/kg.
Deltamethrin was detected in three samples and the highest value was 170 µg/kg.
Chlorpropham was detected in one sample and the highest value was 24 µg/kg.
For feed ingredients, a total of 274 samples was tested for 130 agricultural chemicals.
As a result, the following 19 agricultural chemicals were detected:
Chlorpyrifos-methyl was detected in 15 samples and the highest value was 200 µg/kg in milo imported from Argentina.
Glyphosate was detected in 15 samples and the highest value was 3640 µg/kg in soybean meal imported from China.
Glufosinate was detected in 13 samples and the highest value was 273 µg/kg in soybean meal imported from China.
Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in eight samples and the highest value was 900 µg/kg in enzymatic hydrolyzed wheat gluten imported from Italy.
Malathion was detected in eight samples and the highest value was 130 µg/kg in the domestic wheat bran.
Cyhalothrin was detected in two samples and the highest value was 410 µg/kg in alfalfa hay imported from the USA.
Bifenthrin was detected in one sample and the value was 25 µg/kg in tall fescue straw imported from the USA.
Fenitrothion was detected in one sample and the value was 62 µg/kg in corn imported from Brazil.
Chlorpyrifos was detected in one sample and the value was 220 µg/kg in milo imported from Argentina.
Deltamethrin was detected in one sample and the value was 36 µg/kg in the domestic wheat bran.
2,4-D was detected in one sample and the value was 4 µg/kg in corn imported from the USA.
EPN was detected in one sample and the value was 74 µg/kg in corn distillers' dried grain and solubles imported from the USA.
Atrazine was detected in one sample and the value was 21 µg/kg in milo imported from the USA.
Isoprothiolane was detected in one sample and the value was 49 µg/kg in the domestic rice bran.
Phenothrin was detected in one sample and the value was 27 µg/kg in the domestic wheat bran.
Propanil was detected in one sample and the highest was 39 µg/kg in the alfalfa hay imported from the USA.
Propiconazole was detected in one sample and the value was 310 µg/kg in tall fescue straw imported from the USA.
Pendimethalin was detected in one sample and the value was 54 µg/kg in timothy hay imported from the USA.
Metominostrobin was detected in one sample and the value was 38 µg/kg in the domestic defatted rice bran.
4 Other contaminants
4.1 Melamine
A total of 15 samples of formula feed for fish was analyzed for melamine. The highest value was 0.13 mg/kg in formula feed for growing red sea bream. No sample exceeded the advisory level (2.5 mg/kg).
A total of 9 samples of fish meal was analyzed for melamine. The highest value was 0.10 mg/kg in the domestic fish meal. No sample exceeded the advisory level (2.5 mg/kg).
4.2 Nitrate form nitrogen
A total of 10 hay samples, including six of alfalfa and four of Sudangrass, was analyzed for nitrate form nitrogen. The highest values of each type of hay were 800 mg/kg in alfalfa imported from the USA and 800 mg/kg in Sudangrass imported from the USA. When hays containing nitrate form nitrogen exceeding 1000 mg/kg are used for feeding, the following guideline should be referred and pay special attention to the handling of the grass.
