Annual Report on Surveillance and Monitoring for Harmful Chemical Substances in Animal Feed (in the fiscal year 2021)
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 111 formula feed*1 samples and 152 feed ingredient samples in the fiscal year 2021, which started April 2021, and ended March 2022.
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 103 formula feed samples, and five samples were positive (5 %). The highest value was 0.003 mg/kg in formula feed for growing cattle. No samples exceeded the action level (0.01 mg/kg for formula feed for milking cattle) and the advisory levels (0.01 mg/kg forformula feed for calves, piglets, chicks, and starting broilers, 0.02 mg/kg for formula feed for other livestock).
Aflatoxin B1 was analyzed for in 86 feed ingredient samples, and four samples were positive (5 %). Of the 45 corn samples, four samples were positive (9 %). No corn samples exceeded the advisory level (0.02 mg/kg). The highest values was 0.01 mg/kg in corn imported from the USA.
1.2 Deoxynivalenol
Deoxynivalenol was analyzed for in 103 formula feed samples, and 94 samples were positive (91 %). The highest value was 1.5 mg/kg in Formula feed breeding beef cows. No samples exceeded the advisory levels (3 mg/kg for 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).
Deoxynivalenol was analyzed for in 138 feed ingredient samples, and 97 samples were positive (70 %).
Of the 45 corn samples, 39 samples were positive (87 %). The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows*2:
5.8 mg/kg in corn gluten feed imported from China,
4.1 mg/kg in corn DDGS imported from the USA,
3.4 mg/kg in the domestic corn germ meal,
1.6 mg/kg in hominy feed domestic and imported from the USA,
3.0 mg/kg in corn DDGS soluble imported from the USA,
0.028 mg/kg in the domestic rice bran, and
0.37 mg/kg in the domestic wheat bran
*2Deoxynivalenol: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 103 formula feed samples, and 97 samples were positive (94 %). The highest value was 0.17 mg/kg in Formula feed for breeding beef cattle. No samples exceeded the advisory level (0.5 mg/kg for formula feed for livestock and poultry)
Zearalenone was analyzed for in 113 feed ingredient samples, and 103 samples were positive (91 %). Of the 45 corn samples, 41 samples were positive (91 %). The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows*3:
0.74 mg/kg in the corn gluten feed imported from China,
2.5 mg/kg in the corn gluten meal imported from the USA,
0.33 mg/kg in the corn DDGS imported from the USA,
0.012 mg/kg in the domestic defatted rice bran, and
0.004 mg/kg in the soybean meal domestic and imported from China.
*3Zearalenone: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 102 formula feed ssamples, and 102 samples were positive (100 %). The highest value was 1.6 mg/kg in formula feed for finishing beef cattle. No samples exceeded the advisory level (4 mg/kg for formula feed for livestock and poultry).
Fumonisins were analyzed for in 65 feed ingredient samples, and 64 samples were positive (98 %). The highest values in each feed ingredient were as follows*4:
0.68 mg/kg in the domestic corn gluten feed, and
1.4 mg/kg in corn gluten meal imported from the USA and China.
*4Fumonisins: 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 26 formula feed samples (not including formula feed for aquaculture), and 8 samples were positive (31 %). The highest value was 0.26 mg/kg in formula feed for layers. No samples exceeded the advisory level (0.8 mg/kg).
Of the 32 samples of formula feed for aquaculture*5, 32 samples were positive (100 %). The highest value was 0.97 mg/kg.
*5No advisory level has been established for formula feed for aquaculture.
Cadmium was analyzed for in 15 feed ingredient samples, and eight samples were positive (53 %). The highest value was 1.8 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 26 formula feed samples (not including formula feed for aquaculture), and three samples were positive (12 %). The highest value was 0.5 mg/kg in formula feed for layers. No samples exceeded the advisory level (2 mg/kg).
Of the 32 samples of formula feed for aquaculture*6, 13 samples were positive (41 %). The highest value was 0.9 mg/kg.
*6No advisory level has been established for formula feed for aquaculture.
Lead was analyzed for in 15 feed ingredient samples, and five samples werepositive (33 %). The highest value was 0.9 mg/kg in domestic fish meal. 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 26 formula feed samples (not including formula feed for aquaculture), and 14 samples were positive (54 %). The highest value was 0.83 mg/kg in formula feed for layers. No samples exceeded the advisory level (2 mg/kg).
Of the 32 samples of formula feed for aquaculture*7, 32 samples were positive (100 %). The highest value was 4.0 mg/kg.
*7No advisory level has been established for formula feed for aquaculture.
Arsenic was analyzed for in 15 feed ingredient samples, and eight samples were positive (53 %). The highest value was 7.9 mg/kg in domestic 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 26 formula feed samples (not including formula feed for aquaculture), and 14 samples were positive (54 %). The highest value was 0.05 mg/kg in formula feed for growing piglets. No samples exceeded the advisory level (0.2 mg/kg).
Of the 32 samples of formula feed for aquaculture*8, 31 samples were positive (97 %). The highest value was 0.28 mg/kg.
*8No advisory level has been established for formula feed for aquaculture.
Mercury was analyzed for in 15 feed ingredient samples, and 14 samples were positive (93 %). The highest value was 0.81 mg/kg in domestic 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 123 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. Cyhalothrin was detected over the maximum residue limits (MRLs) 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 17 samples were detected for six agricultural chemicals. The number of detections (maximum) of agricultural chemicals were as follows.
Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in six samples, and the highest value was 420 µg/kg.
Malathion was detected in four samples, and the highest value was 340 µg/kg.
Deltamethrin and tralomethrin were detected in one sample and the value was 32 µg/kg.
Fenitrothion was detected in in two sample, and the value was 40 µg/kg.
Permethrin was detected in in two sample, and the value was 56 µg/kg.
Cyhalothrin was detected in in one sample, and the value was 290 µg/kg.
The feed ingredient was conducted for 123 agricultural chemicals, and 36 samples were detected for 12 agricultural chemicals.
The number of detections by agricultural chemicals and maximum values were as follows.
Glyphosate was detected in eight sample, and the value was 7,880 µg/kg in oats hay imported from Australia.
Pirimiphos-methyl was detected in seven samples, and the highest value was 1,100 µg/kg in corn imported from Argentina.
Malathion was detected in six samples, and the highest value was 560 µg/kg in corn imported from Argentina.
Chlorpyrifos was detected in three samples, and the highest value was 2,300 µg/kg in corncob meal imported from the USA.
Chlorpyrifos-methyl was detected in two samples, and the highest value was 51 µg/kg in corn imported from Argentina.
Propiconazole was detected in two sample, and the value was 15,000 µg/kg in ryegrass imported from the USA.
Cyhalothrin was detected in two sample, and the value was 69 µg/kg in corn imported from Argentina. (violation of maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by ministerial ordinance).
Deltamethrin and tralomethrin was detected in two sample, and the value was 97 µg/kg in corn imported from Argentina.
Propargite was detected in one sample, and the value was 92 µg/kg in ryegrass imported from the USA.
Permethrin was detected in one samples, and the highest value was 22 µg/kg in corn imported from South Africa.
Fenitrothion was detected in one sample, and the value was 80 µg/kg in corn imported from Brazil.
Metominostrobin was detected in one samples, and the highest value was 36 µg/kg in oats hay imported from Australia.
Please check here for the detailed results; Research Report of Animal Feed No.47
