Page 48 - FoodFocusThailand No.240 April 2026

STRONG QC & QA

ตารางที่่� 1 แสดงปริิมาณสูงสุดของ PAs ในผลิิตภััณฑ์์อาหาริตามเกณฑ์์ของ EU legislation (Reg. EC No. 2023/915)
Table 1 Shows the maximum levels of PAs in food products according to EU legislation (Reg. EC No. 2023/915).
Food products Maximum levels (μg/kg)

Herbal Infusions (dried product) of rooibos, anise, lemon balm, chamomile, thyme, peppermint, lemon 400
verbena and mixtures exclusively composed of dried herbs
Other herbal infusions (dried product) excluding those mentioned above 200
Tea (Camellia sinensis) and flavoured tea (Camellia sinensis) (dried product) 150
Tea (Camellia sinensis) and flavoured tea (Camellia sinensis) and herbal infusions for infants and young 75
children (dried product)
Tea (Camellia sinensis) and flavoured tea (Camellia sinensis) and herbal infusions for infants and young 1.0
children (liquid)
Food supplements containing herbal ingredients including extracts with the exception of the pollen-based
food supplements, pollend and pollen products/Food supplements containing herbal ingredients including 400
extracts with the exception of the pollen-based food supplements, pollend and pollen products
Pollen based food supplements. Pollen and pollen products 500
Borage, lovage, marjoram and oregano (dried) and mixtures exclusively composed of these dried herbs 1,000
Dried herbs except those mentioned above 400
Source: Modified from Tábuas et al. (2024)

Risk Assessment and Regulatory Framework including sample preparation methods, solvent types,
of PAs separation techniques, and the analytical instruments used. In
Concerns about the toxicity of PAs have been raised the sample preparation stage, solid-phase extraction (SPE)
internationally since 1988, when the World Health Organization is commonly used. This involves using strong cation exchange
(WHO) issued recommendations to reduce exposure to (SCX), polymeric cation exchange (PCX), or mixed-mode
these toxins in food and herbal products. Subsequently, risk cation exchange (MCX) sorbents packed into SPE cartridges
assessment agencies in many countries have continued to to isolate target compounds from interfering substances in
develop guidelines and acceptable intake levels for PAs. In the sample. Additionally, techniques such as QuEChERS
2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted and salt-assisted liquid–liquid extraction (SALLE) are
a risk assessment of PAs in food and feed. Since many PAs also employed.
exhibit genotoxic and potentially carcinogenic properties, The purpose of extraction is to separate PAs and PANOs
the CONTAM Panel under EFSA established a reference from other components in the food sample matrix. Generally,
point of 237 µg/kg body weight per day for use in cancer risk polar solvents such as methanol or acetonitrile are used,
assessment. EFSA also indicated that exposure to PAs may including aqueous solutions acidified with appropriate acids.
pose health concerns, particularly for individuals who regularly For the analytical determination step, liquid chromatography
consume tea and herbal infusions. (LC) combined with mass spectrometry (MS) is widely
According to the European Union (EU) regulations, used, particularly LC–MS/MS, which enables the efficient
maximum levels of PAs in food are established under simultaneous analysis of multiple PAs. Typically, a C18
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915, which sets maximum reversed-phase column is employed, along with a mobile
concentration limits for various food categories, including phase consisting of acidified water combined with organic
tea, herbal infusions, herbal dietary supplements, and other solvents such as methanol or acetonitrile. In addition, ultra-
products. Products intended for infants and young children are high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) is
subject to particularly strict limits. In Thailand, there are currently another technique used for analysis, owing to its advantages in
no specific regulatory limits established for PA levels in food. resolution and sensitivity, arising from the use of columns with
However, food safety and herbal product regulations are still smaller particle sizes. Detection is commonly performed using
enforced through the safety assessment of plant-based raw electrospray ionization (ESI) coupled with a triple quadrupole
materials and continuous monitoring of contaminants. (QqQ) mass analyzer in an LC–MS/MS system. Measurements
are conducted in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode,
Laboratory Analysis of PAs which enhances both sensitivity and selectivity for detecting
Since PAs are naturally occurring toxins that can adversely PAs in complex food matrices.
affect human health, the development of reliable analytical PAs are naturally occurring toxins of significant concern
methods is essential. However, the structural diversity of in food safety, as they can enter the food chain and cause
PAs, together with their presence at low concentration levels both acute and chronic health effects. Therefore, systematic
in complex food matrices, remains a significant challenge for monitoring, risk assessment, and analytical determination are
their analysis. essential components for protecting consumers and supporting
Analytical methods must provide high sensitivity, effective food safety management.
selectivity, accuracy, and precision. They must also
undergo proper method validation and be cost-effective. The
performance of the analysis depends on several factors, More Information Service Info C006

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