In order to comply with the updated Ochratoxin A regulations for coffee, companies must undertake several technical measures to ensure their products adhere to the new regulatory limits. The new limit, reduced to 3 μg/kg from the previous 10 μg/kg, necessitates heightened precautions by coffee producers to meet the new standards. Here are some of the technical aspects that companies need to consider:

1. Sourcing high-quality coffee beans: Coffee producers will need to source higher-quality coffee beans that are less susceptible to fungal growth. This will require working closely with their suppliers, making sure that they are purchasing beans that meet the new regulatory requirements.
    
2. Improving production processes: Coffee producers will need to implement more stringent quality control measures to reduce the risk of contamination with Ochratoxin A. This may involve introducing new processing methods that reduce the risk of fungal growth or implementing regular testing of raw materials to avoid contamination.
    
3. Implementing rigorous testing procedures: Companies will need to invest in equipment and resources that can accurately test their coffee products so that they meet the new regulatory requirements. This may involve implementing new testing procedures or increasing the frequency of testing to determine that coffee products are consistently below the new limits.
    
4. Keeping up-to-date with changes: Companies will need to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the regulatory landscape by following the latest guidelines. This may involve working closely with regulatory bodies or industry associations to ensure that they are aware of any changes or updates to the regulations.

Adhering to the new regulatory limits for Ochratoxin A is a daunting task for the coffee industry that requires an accurate and reliable testing solution. The necessity for frequent testing of raw material samples creates the need for an immunoassay with immediate results. This is where collaboration with ProGnosis Biotech can be beneficial for laboratories looking to implement Ochratoxin A quality control testing.

The new product, Symmetric Ochratoxin Coffee, is an innovative 10-minute Lateral Flow Test employing state-of-the-art features for quantitatively determining Ochratoxin levels in green and roasted coffee. It also utilizes an environmentally friendly buffer for the extraction step.

Its limit of quantification at 0.9 ppb demonstrates the high sensitivity of this product, showcasing its precision. Combined with the easy-to-use format, it’s the ideal product for regular and accurate testing of raw materials in order to ensure the quality of the final product while providing the industry with a valuable tool for complying with the legal limit.

ProGnosis Biotech continues in its efforts to produce innovative immunoassays for the food safety field, and with Symmetric Ochratoxin Coffee helps guarantee the safety of every coffee bean entering the market.