DIN EN 17279 E 2018-08 PDF

Full title and description

STB DIN EN 17279 E 2018-08 — Foodstuffs. Multimethod for the screening of aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 and B2, ochratoxin A, T‑2 toxin, HT‑2 toxin and zearalenone in foodstuffs (excluding foods for infants and young children) by LC‑MS/MS. (This designation corresponds to the prEN / national draft issued in 2018; the final European publication was issued as EN 17279:2019.)

Abstract

This document specifies a screening (fast, qualitative/semiquantitative) LC‑MS/MS multimethod to determine whether pre‑defined screening target concentrations (STC) for a set of priority mycotoxins are exceeded in a range of food matrices. Results are reported as “negative” (below the STC) or “suspect” (screen positive); suspect results require a confirmatory quantitative method for legal/official quantification. The method was validated on representative matrices from multiple commodity groups (e.g., wheat and cereal products, peanuts, dried fruit, grape juice).

General information

• Status: Draft/prEN published as a national draft in 2018 (DIN prEN 17279:2018-08); finalized and published at European level as EN 17279:2019 and adopted by national bodies in 2019–2020. (The 2018 draft entry is therefore superseded by the EN 17279:2019 publication.)
• Publication date: draft/national DIN draft: 2018-08 (prEN 17279:2018); final EN publication: 2019 (national adoptions published 2019–2020).
• Publisher: originally issued as a CEN draft / national draft via DIN (German Institute for Standardisation) and published as EN 17279 by CEN / national standards bodies (BSI, NEN, AFNOR, ÖNORM, etc.).
• ICS / categories: 67.050 — General methods of tests and analysis for food products.
• Edition / version: prEN / national draft: 2018-08 (designation used in draft lists); final EN edition: EN 17279:2019 (national adoptions in 2019–2020).
• Number of pages: varies by national publication — draft listings have referenced a larger draft (example: a 2018 draft record shows 63 pages in some catalogues), while the finalized EN 17279:2019 national publications typically appear in the ~29–33 page range depending on the national publisher.

Scope

Defines a screening LC‑MS/MS multimethod for detection of selected mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, DON, fumonisins B1/B2, ochratoxin A, T‑2/HT‑2 toxins, zearalenone) in a wide range of foodstuffs (cereals and cereal products, nuts, dried fruit, beverages, etc.), excluding foods intended for infants and young children. The method establishes screening target concentrations (STCs) and cut‑off criteria; it is intended to identify samples that are likely to be non‑compliant (suspect) and therefore require confirmatory analysis.

Key topics and requirements

• Analytical principle: sample extraction (acidified acetonitrile / QuEChERS‑style partitioning), cleanup/dilution, and analysis by HPLC/LC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC‑MS/MS / MRM).
• Target analytes: aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisin B1 and B2, ochratoxin A, T‑2 toxin, HT‑2 toxin and zearalenone.
• Screening concept: screening target concentrations (STC) and defined cut‑off rules produce qualitative/semiquantitative results reported as “negative” or “suspect”; suspect results require confirmatory quantitative methods outside the scope of the screening standard.
• Quality measures: use of isotopically labelled internal standards where practicable, performance checks at STC, appropriate blanks and matrix checks, and documentation of validation/verification for chosen matrices.
• Validated matrices and STC ranges: the standard reports validation on representative commodity groups and gives STC ranges for each mycotoxin (examples: AFB1 ~2–5 µg/kg; DON ~250–865 µg/kg; OTA ~4–9 µg/kg; FB1 ~200–790 µg/kg; FB2 ~110–230 µg/kg; T2/HT2 values as validated).

Typical use and users

Used primarily by food‑testing laboratories, official control laboratories, manufacturers’ quality units, and contract testing providers as a rapid screening method to prioritize samples for confirmatory testing. Regulators and standardisation committees reference the method when setting monitoring programs or harmonised screening procedures.

Related standards

EN 17279 is part of a family of modern LC‑MS/MS and chromatographic methods for mycotoxin analysis and is typically used alongside or as a precursor to confirmatory quantitative standards/methods (other ENs and relevant national methods for mycotoxin confirmation, e.g., EN methods for determination of specific toxins and performance requirements). It is also grouped with other recent CEN standards on horizontal LC‑MS/MS methods for food contaminants and residues.

Keywords

EN 17279, DIN EN 17279, prEN 17279, mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, DON, fumonisin B1, fumonisin B2, ochratoxin A, T‑2, HT‑2, zearalenone, LC‑MS/MS, screening, screening target concentration (STC), food analysis, CEN/TC 275.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is a CEN horizontal screening method (initially circulated as a national/draft prEN in 2018 under national designations such as DIN prEN 17279:2018) that specifies an LC‑MS/MS multimethod to screen for a set of priority mycotoxins in many food matrices; the finalized European standard was published as EN 17279:2019.

Q: What does it cover?

A: The method covers sample extraction and preparation, LC‑MS/MS measurement (MRM), use of STCs and cut‑off criteria, validation/verification on representative matrices, and reporting as “negative” or “suspect” (with suspect samples sent for confirmatory quantitative testing). It excludes foods for infants and young children.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Food testing laboratories (private and official), contract testing labs, industry QC teams, and competent authorities that run monitoring programs or screening workflows to triage samples prior to confirmatory analysis.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2018 prEN / national draft record (DIN prEN 17279:2018‑08) was the draft stage; the European standard EN 17279 was finalized and published in 2019 and adopted nationally (2019–2020). The 2018 draft record is superseded by the published EN 17279:2019. For the authoritative, current text always consult the national standards body’s publication of EN 17279:2019.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it belongs to the suite of CEN methods and horizontal LC‑MS/MS standards for food contaminants and residues developed under CEN/TC 275; related EN methods address confirmatory quantification and other specific mycotoxin determinations.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Mycotoxins, LC‑MS/MS, screening, STC (screening target concentration), aflatoxin B1, DON, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, T‑2/HT‑2, zearalenone, food analysis, CEN 17279.