Annual Report on Surveillance and Monitoring for Harmful Chemical Substances in Animal Feed (in the fiscal year 2020)
1 Mycotoxins
FAMIC (Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center) conducts the monitoring survey of mycotoxins in formula feeds and feed ingredients. MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) set feed safety standards as action level (the value which must not be exceeded) for aflatoxin B1 and advisory levels (the guidance level to confirm the effectiveness of control measures taken by feed manufacturers to reduce contamination) for mycotoxins, for example aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins.
Twenty-four mycotoxins were analyzed for in 112 formula feed*1 samples and 206 feed ingredient samples in the fiscal year 2020, which started April 2020, and ended March 2021. The results of aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and fumonisins, for which action or advisory levels have been set, were as follows.
*1Including mixed feed
1.1 Aflatoxin B1
Aflatoxin B1 was analyzed for in 89 formula feed samples, and 11 samples were positive (12 %). The highest value was 0.005 mg/kg in formula feed for cattle (not including those for milking calves and sucking calves).
No samples exceeded the action level (0.01 mg/kg for formula feed for milking cattle) and the advisory levels (0.01 mg/kg for formula feed for calves, piglets, chicks, and starting broilers, 0.02 mg/kg for formula feed for other livestock).
Aflatoxin B1 was analyzed for in 117 feed ingredient samples, and nine samples were positive (8 %). Of the 34 corn samples, four samples were positive (12 %). No corn samples exceeded the advisory level (0.02 mg/kg).
The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows*2:
0.001 mg/kg in corn DDGS imported from the USA and
0.0003 mg/kg in soybean meal imported from China.
*2Aflatoxin B1:No advisory level has been established for feed ingredients other than corn.
1.2 Deoxynivalenol
Deoxynivalenol was analyzed for in 89 formula feed samples, and 82 samples were positive (92 %). The highest value was 0.82 mg/kg in Formula feed for cattle (intended to milking cattle but not to suckling calves). No samples exceeded the advisory levels (3 mg/kg for formula feed for ruminant (not including suckling stage), 1mg/kg for feed for livestock (except ruminants (except those in the suckling stage)) and poultry).
Deoxynivalenol was analyzed for in 204 feed ingredient samples, and 146 samples were positive (72 %).
Of the 34 corn samples, 26 samples were positive (76 %).
The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows*3:
0.099 mg/kg in milo imported from the USA,
0.076 mg/kg in wheat imported from Canada,
0.009 mg/kg in cassava imported from Thailand,
0.081 mg/kg in the domestic wheat feed flour (off grade),
0.003 mg/kg in the domestic rice bran,
0.01 mg/kg in corncob meal imported from Thailand,
1.1 mg/kg in the domestic corn germ meal,
4.6 mg/kg in corn gluten feed imported from China,
0.81 mg/kg in corn gluten meal imported from the USA,
0.50 mg/kg in the domestic wheat bran,
0.13 mg/kg in the domestic barley bran with hulls,
2.0 mg/kg in the domestic hominy feed,
5.3 mg/kg in corn DDGS imported from the USA,
0.23 mg/kg in the domestic cereal sake lees,
0.017 mg/kg in the domestic rapeseed meal,
0.1 mg/kg in soybean meal imported from China,
0.009 mg/kg in coconut oil cake imported from the Philippines,
0.011 mg/kg in sweetened heated soybean meal imported from the USA,
0.19 mg/kg in cocoa bean husk imported from Ecuador, and
0.011 mg/kg in beet pulp imported from the USA.
*3Deoxynivalenol:Advisory levels (4 mg/kg for feed (not including formula feed) for ruminant (not including suckling stage), 1 mg/kg for feed for livestock (except ruminants (except those in the suckling stage)) and poultry)
1.3 Zearalenone
Zearalenone was analyzed for in 89 formula feed samples, and 87 samples were positive (98 %). The highest value was 0.35 mg/kg in formula feed for cattle (intended to suckling cattle but not to milking cows).
No samples exceeded the advisory level (0.5 mg/kg for formula feed for livestock and poultry).
Zearalenone was analyzed for in 143 feed ingredient samples, and 133 samples were positive (93 %). Of the 34 corn samples, 31 samples were positive (91 %).
The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows*4:
1.4 mg/kg in milo imported from the USA,
0.025 mg/kg in wheat imported from Canada,
0.001 mg/kg in the domestic wheat feed flour (Off grade),
0.03 mg/kg in the domestic defatted rice bran,
0.35 mg/kg in the domestic corn gluten feed,
3.0 mg/kg in corn gluten meal imported from the USA,
0.021 mg/kg in the domestic wheat bran,
1.1 mg/kg in corn DDGS imported from the USA, and
0.009 mg/kg in soybean meal domestic and imported from China.
*4Zearalenone:Advisory level (1 mg/kg for feed for livestock and poultry (not including formula feed))
1.4 Fumonisins (B1+B2+B3)
Fumonisins were analyzed for in 78 formula feed ssamples, and 77 samples were positive (99 %). The highest value was 3.1 mg/kg in formula feed for feeding pigs.
No samples exceeded the advisory level (4 mg/kg for formula feed for livestock and poultry).
Fumonisins were analyzed for in 60 feed ingredient samples, and 59 samples were positive (98 %).
The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows*5:
0.25 mg/kg in the domestic corn gluten feed, and
3.1 mg/kg in the domestic corn gluten meal.
*5Fumonisins: No advisory level has been established for feed ingredients.
2 Heavy metals
FAMIC conducts the monitoring survey of heavy metals in formula feeds and feed ingredients. MAFF set feed safety standards as the advisory levels for heavy metals.
2.1 Cadmium
Cadmium was analyzed for in 34 formula feed samples (not including formula feed for aquaculture), and 15 samples were positive (44 %). The highest value was 0.29 mg/kg in formula feed for growing medium-sized chickens.
No samples exceeded the advisory level (0.8 mg/kg).
Of the 33 samples of formula feed for aquaculture*6, 33 samples were positive (100 %). The highest value was 1.1 mg/kg.
*6No advisory level has been established for formula feed for aquaculture.
Cadmium was analyzed for in 13 feed ingredient samples, and seven samples were positive (54 %). The highest value was 1.4 mg/kg in fish meal.
No samples exceeded the advisory levels (1 mg/kg for grass hay etc., 3 mg/kg for fish meal, meat meal, and meat and bone meal).
2.2 Lead
Lead was analyzed for in 34 formula feed samples (not including formula feed for aquaculture), and four samples were positive (12 %). The highest value was 1.5 mg/kg in formula feed for layers. No samples exceeded the advisory level (2 mg/kg).
Of the 33 samples of formula feed for aquaculture*7, 15 samples were positive (45 %). The highest value was 1.2 mg/kg.
*7No advisory level has been established for formula feed for aquaculture.
Lead was analyzed for in 13 feed ingredient samples, and six samples were positive (46 %). The highest value was 0.9 mg/kg in Sudan grass from the USA. No samples exceeded the advisory levels (3 mg/kg for grass hay etc., 7 mg/kg for fish meal, meat meal, and meat and bone meal).
2.3 Arsenic
Arsenic was analyzed for in 34 formula feed samples (not including formula feed for aquaculture), and 18 samples were positive (53 %). The highest value was 0.83 mg/kg in formula feed for layers. No samples exceeded the advisory level (2 mg/kg).
Of the 33 samples of formula feed for aquaculture*8, 33 samples were positive (100 %). The highest value was 5.3 mg/kg.
*8No advisory level has been established for formula feed for aquaculture.
Arsenic was analyzed for in 13 feed ingredient samples, and nine samples were positive (69 %). The highest value was 8.2 mg/kg in fish meal. No samples exceeded the advisory levels (2 mg/kg for grass hay (not including rice straw), 7 mg/kg for rice straw, meat meal, and meat and bone meal, 15 mg/kg for fish meal).
2.4 Mercury
Mercury was analyzed for in 34 formula feed samples (not including formula feed for aquaculture), and 12 samples were positive (35 %).The highest value was 0.06 mg/kg in formula feed for milking cattle. No samples exceeded the advisory level (0.2 mg/kg).
Of the 33 samples of formula feed for aquaculture*9, 32 samples were positive (97 %). The highest value was 0.34 mg/kg.
*9No advisory level has been established for formula feed for aquaculture.
Mercury was analyzed for in 15 feed ingredient samples, and seven samples were positive (47 %). The highest value was 0.51 mg/kg in fish meal.
No samples exceeded the advisory levels (0.4 mg/kg for grass hay etc., 1 mg/kg for fish meal, meat meal, and meat and bone meal).
3 Agricultural chemicals
FAMIC conducts monitoring survey of agricultural chemicals in formula feeds and feed ingredients. Monitoring was conducted for 122 agricultural chemicals, including those for which standards are set by ministerial ordinance. The monitoring results for the main agricultural chemicals detected among them were as follows. No samples exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by ministerial ordinance. For the components for which standards were not set, none exceeded agricultural chemicals that could affect livestock or remain in livestock products.
The formulated feed was conducted for 122 agricultural chemicals, and 14 samples were detected for four agricultural chemicals. The number of detections (maximum) of agricultural chemicals were as follows:
Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in five samples, and the highest value was 48 µg/kg.
Fenitrothion was detected in in one sample, and the value was 30 µg/kg.
Malathion was detected in seven samples, and the highest value was 180 µg/kg.
Deltamethrin and tralomethrin were detected in one sample and the value was 37 µg/kg.
The feed ingredient was conducted for 122 agricultural chemicals, and 40 samples were detected for 14 agricultural chemicals.
The number of detections by agricultural chemicals and maximum values were as follows.
Isoprothiolane was detected in one sample, and the value was 1000 µg/kg in rice straw imported from China.
Oxadiazon detected in one sample and the value was 130 µg/kg in rice straw imported from China
Chlorpyrifos was detected in two samples, and the highest value was 59 µg/kg in corncob meal imported from Thailand.
Chlorpyrifos-methyl was detected in three samples, and the highest value was 80 µg/kg in the domestic wheat bran.
Difenoconazole was detected in four samples, and the highest value was 79 µg/kg in beet pulp imported from the USA.
Silafluofen was detected in one sample, and the value was 39 µg/kg in the domestic rice bran.
Tetraconazole was detected in one sample, and the value was 41 µg/kg in beet pulp imported from the USA.
Bifenthrin was detected in two samples, and the highest value was 72 µg/kg in milo imported from the USA.
Pyridaben was detected in one sample, and the value was 230 µg/kg in rice straw imported from China.
Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in eight samples, and the highest value was 330 µg/kg in milo imported from Argentina.
Propargite was detected in one sample, and the value was 32 µg/kg in beet pulp imported from the USA.
Propiconazole was detected in one sample, and the value was 51 µg/kg in the domestic barley bran with hull.
Pendimethalin was detected in one sample, and the value was 220 µg/kg in timothy grass imported from the USA.
Malathion was detected in 13 samples, and the highest value was 660 µg/kg in corn imported from the USA.
Please check here for the detailed results; Research Report of Animal Feed No.46
