Mouse Bioassay as standard reference method for the routine analysis of alga poisons in shells unsuitable

BfR recommends using chemico-physical analyses like the LC/MS method as the reference method for the determination of algae toxins in mussels and only envisaging the mouse bioassay as an additional analytical step when a positive result has been obtained and further clarification is needed in the interests of consumer protection (suitability of the test results for use in court, etc.) which cannot be obtained using chemico-physical methods. The LC/MS method is a scientific method which has been tested in line with internationally accepted criteria. It has already been recognised by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (FSA) as an official method and successfully tested in an interlaboratory trial. Vis a vis the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) BfR advocates replacing the mouse bioassay with the LC/MS method as the reference method because it offers greater consumer protection and, at the same time, contributes to animal welfare.DE; en; efsa-focal-point@bfr.bund.d