According to the FDA, products intended to be used for or promoted to bind mycotoxins and other harmful toxins are food additives under Section 402(a)(2)(C)(i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. They must be the subject of an approved food additive petition (FAP) if they are intended (sold) to be used for this purpose. There are currently no products on the market that are approved by FDA for mycotoxin binding. Research on mycotoxin binding is proceeding. Several types of products are being investigated, including silicates, carbons, and indigestible organic polysaccharides such as B-glucans and others. The best data are derived from in vivo experiments, but they are limited. In vitro methods of estimating binding have not correlated well with in vivo measurements. Within each type of binder (silicate, carbon, B-glucans, etc.), there are products that have shown good binding with aflatoxin; however, there is considerable variation within each type of binder. While binding of some nutrients has been statistically significant, the amounts of nutrients bound have been minimal and of little nutritional concern. Mike Hutjens, Extension Dairy Specialist, University of Illinois - Illini DairyNET

Browse related Faqs by tag: dairy cattle