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For some time, packaging materials and articles intended to come into contact with food are included in the system of controls, early warnings and risk communication provided by the European Commission (EU) regulation 178/2002. Data analysis of the EU rapid alert system for food allows one to define a specific risk profile and to establish an effective plan for official control of materials intended to come into contact with food. In the 2008-2010 period the rapid alert system has ratified alert notifications, mostly related to plastic materials of Chinese origin.

Objective: to make an initial evaluation on the impact of environmental pollution on the food safety of some agricultural products in the area of Gela, an official area of environmental crisis according to Italian legislation., Setting: Gela (Caltanisetta ) Sicily, Main Outcome Measures: the investigation looked at the contamination of the food chain, one of the main sources of exposure for the local population. A sample of 13 artichokes and 13 tomatoes where sprayed with contaminated water and the levels of Pb (II), Cd (II) end Cu (II) where then measured., Results and Conclusions: the analysis of the samples investigated shows a high level of metal contamination which can be linked to both the polluted water and air. It is therefore easier to forecast a scenario of exposure for the local population through the food chain.

The influence of three different systems of chicken breeding (battery, outdoor and free-range type) on contamination of the shell, yolk and albumen on category A eggs was evaluated. The eggs collected from free-range type did not resulted in conforming according to Italian legislation (5%) that foresees total absence of Salmonella spp. both on shells that yolk and albumen. Moreover the handled eggs can transmit microorganisms present on the shell because non-hygienic operator's hands favour horizontal bacterial transmission. In conclusion, this survey revealed that the breeding type as well as storing time and handling quality influence the product quality.

Aim of this survey is to identify those filamentous fungi which parasite Boletus edulis and its group and check the potential presence of secondary metabolites, specifically aflatoxin B1, total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, in order to assess the risk to consumers' health. Forty samples of dried Boletus edulis, collected by two food industries which distribute the product in many Italian regions, have been analysed. The sampling plan has been conducted from November 2005 to March 2006, collecting 50 g from each commercial category of dried Boletus edulis available in the factory at the time of sampling. All the samples have been tested by visual macroscopic and stereoscopic assays; for some samples--those referred to commercial category presumably at higher risk--we have performed cultural assays as well, typization of isolated micromycetes, extraction and quantification of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. Mycotoxin detection has been made by HPLC, using the UNI EN 14123 and UNI EN 14132 standard methods, respectively applied to aflatoxins determination in peanuts, pistachios, figs and paprika and to ochratoxin A in barley and coffee. Non pathogenic micromycetes, common in food products, have been frequently observed in cultural assays, while Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger have been found in some samples. However the concentration of aflatoxins was always under the quantification limit. The survey confirm that, if the cold chain is kept throughout the process and the distribution, Boletus edulis and analogue mycetes are not a favourable substratum for the growth and the development of moulds.

This report provides a brief overview of several reliable Internet resources concerning food toxicology. Some helpful resources have been identified on the basis of quality criteria and relevance. Only international and European sources, presenting an English or an Italian version, have been considered. The report includes four topic areas: the first provides a brief description of international resources, the second focuses on European ones, the third provides a description of Italian websites and the last one is a short overview of some specialized databanks available on Web.

The European Union established in the early 1990's a network of Community reference laboratories (CRL) for residues in living animals and their products. This field is regulated at present by the Council Directive 96/23/CE of 26 April 1996, adopted at the national level through the Decree DL.vo no. 336 of 4 August 1999. The four CRL are based in France, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands, respectively, each of them being responsible for different categories of residues. The CRL provides technical support to the European Commission in this matter as well as to the National reference laboratories (NRL) for residues in the member states. The four CRL bear responsibility also as regards the adoption of quality systems by NRL. In this respect, the revised principles of good laboratory practice recently issued by OECD demand that procedures be developed to inform and assist the NRL to implement them.