Jan 27th, 2022
3 mins
The FSA have made us aware of the possible contamination of wheat crops with mustard during 2021. They have asked us to share the following questions with our members to help get a better understanding of who has been affected and how widespread this issue is:
- We understand that in Europe in 2021 some wheat crops were “heavily infested” with mustard? What caused this infestation? Agricultural practices (e.g. mustard in the rotation, herbicide regime)? Climatic conditions?
- Did it affect wheat harvests across Europe and beyond?
- Are regular samples being taken from tanks before wheat is transferred to silos to ascertain the prevalence of contamination?
- When samples are tested, are both ELISA and PCR techniques employed?
- What information are industry TA’s passing to its members – quantitative information from allergen tests or advisory allergen information or both?
Whilst we appreciate the above questions may not be directly relevant to your business, this is an intelligence gathering exercise therefore any information you may have gathered from your supply chain would be welcomed.
Please email any feedback to receiptandmanagement@food.gov.uk, also copying in Holly (hollyjones@bfff.co.uk) to ensure we are kept up to date on the situation.
Alternatively, if you wish to send a response to the FSA but remain anonymous, you can share your comments with Holly (hollyjones@bfff.co.uk), who will then feedback anonymously on your behalf.
