Occurrence data on Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) in food

The dataset contains data on the occurrence of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids (PAs) in food products of plant origin, in particular herbal teas and food supplements from different geographic regions in Europe.

A total of 359 samples were collected in years 2014 and 2015 and analysed for the presence of 28 PAs. Samples were collected in supermarkets, retail shops and for a small proportion via internet. The samples comprised 168 teas (including black, green, rooibos, chamomile, peppermint and mixed herbal tea) and 191 food supplements. The analytical method for determination of 1,2-unsaturated PAs is based on liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which complies with the requirements as described by the Commission regulation No. 401/2006.

The updates in version 2 mainly refer to the analytical methods and the limits of quantification reported for the analysis of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in different food samples, and to some plant extracts for which wrong levels of pyrrolizidine alkaloids were reported by a data provider.