Ochratoxin A

The Federation recognises the increased concerns expressed by the EU Commission on the presence of OTA in cocoa beans and the request by the Commission that the total cocoa trade and industry study the conditions for OTA formation and its control by December 2002.

The FCC has joined with CAOBISCO in a research program in order to address the following issues:

• determination of the critical post-harvest point for the development of OTA in cocoa
• sampling methodology for OTA
• appropriate methodology for extraction and measurement of the mycotoxin,
• determination of OTA levels in cocoa

A Working Group on OTA has been established to discuss the above-mentioned issues and the FCC has a representative attending regular progress meetings.

For more information on the progress of the OTA Working Group meeetings, please contact CAOBISCO.