Author
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Kendra, David |
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Submitted to: Aflatoxin Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 10/26/2005 Publication Date: 10/26/2005 Citation: Kendra, D.F. 2005. Application of HACCP to control mycotoxins in maize breeding programs. Aflatoxin Workshop. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Maize ear rot and associated mycotoxin contamination are serious problems for maize growers around the world. In the U.S. corn-belt severe ear rot and mycotoxin outbreaks occur sporadically while they are serious problems yearly in other regions such as the southeastern U.S. During hybrid selection, commercial maize breeders routinely discard genotypes that are visibly susceptible so commercial hybrids are generally somewhat resistant to ear rot; however, little information is available on mycotoxin resistance levels for commercial maize hybrids. Due to increased public concern over food safety and its role in trade policy development and negotiations, mycotoxins are now more closely monitored with at least 99 countries having official regulations for food and/or feed. During the last three decades, the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system has been gradually introduced and applied successfully by the food industry to introduce risk assessment based evaluations for potential contamination of food products with pathogenic micro-organisms and physical and chemical safety hazards, including mycotoxins. HACCP is a pro-active, highly structured, systematic quality management system that includes the identification, evaluation and control of hazards in the entire agricultural system. As a result of the increased importance of mycotoxins in global trade, this paper recommends that corn breeders implement a HACCP based approach to develop hybrids that meet or exceed international regulations for regulated mycotoxins in order to ensure competitiveness of U.S. farmers in the global market. |
