Research on exposure assessment of chinolizidine-alkaloides and phomopsins by food intake (LUPINEX 2)

Lupins and derivatives are used in our agri-food chain as a valuable alternative protein source. The animal feed sector is looking for alternatives to soy, the use of which is under pressure from a sustainability perspective. For food we see a changing consumption pattern with a clear shift towards vegetable proteins, in this context lupine and derivatives can be a useful alternative. There is an increasing concern from EFSA (2012) and EFSA (2019) about the presence of phomopsines (PHO) and quinolizidine alkaloids (CA) in lupins and their derived feed or food. This project proposal aims at a farm-to-fork approach for identifying the occurrence of lupine and its derivatives. In a first phase, it is investigated which products on the Belgian market contain lupine or its derivatives, this concerns both products for human and animal consumption, in order to arrive at a representative sampling plan. There is currently no certainty whether animal products derived from animals fed with lupine contain PHO or CA. This aspect will be investigated through collaboration with animal feed and agricultural companies to sample traceable animal products (eg veal, milk) from animals fed with lupine or lupine fractions (approx. 80 samples). A multi-analysis method will be developed and validated that should allow to analyze representative samples of relevant food and feed, present on the Belgian market, for the presence and quantification of PHO and CA, taking into account available standards and detection limits. It is envisaged to analyze approximately 400 samples divided over various product categories. This database, supplemented with our own food frequency questionnaire to have consumption data for the Belgian population on foodstuffs, containing lupine and derivatives, should enable us to make an exposure estimate for the Belgian population for CA and PHO.