Survey among European and Canadian feed control units on monitoring packaging material residues in feed by microscopy analyses

Abstract

Macro- and microscopic evaluation of feed includes detection of animal proteins, botanical ingredients and impurities, and prohibited ingredients such as packaging material (PM), according to Regulation (EC) 767/2009. In addition, detection of micro-plastics (possible degradation products of some of the PM) is getting attention. PM can harm animals or disturb their feed intake, pollute the environment, and are considered as undesired impurities in feeds. These materials do not consist of a definite molecule, group of molecules, living species or definite bodies. They can be plastic foil, hard plastic, metal pieces, paper, wood or some combination of materials. Their features (sharp, pointed) can be as important as the material itself. This is a typical topic for microscopy detection and evaluation. This short review presents the work done on detection of PM in 15 monitoring entities (institute, laboratories). Since 2011, some institutes have analysed more than 20 samples each year and the incidence of non-compliant samples will be presented here. Thirteen out of 15 entities have an active monitoring, whereas others have passive surveillance (done while performing other microscopy analyses). The protocols used by the different entities depend on sample types and analysts, highlighting a need for harmonisation.Highlights Former food products as ingredients for animal feed reduce food losses but contain residues of packaging material (PM). The microscopic examination and evaluation of feeds contribute to the safety of ingredients issued from food re-cycling and by-products valorisation. The lack of a prescribed method and limit of tolerance for PM cause variability in survey results.

Keywords

• former food products
• packaging material
• limit of tolerance