Limits for ergot sclerotia and alkaloids in traded grain and certified cereal seed

Although the disease has a relatively small impact on yield, ergots are associated with large amounts of toxic alkaloids (mycotoxins). Learn about the limits for ergot sclerotia and alkaloids in traded grain and certified cereal seed.

Ergot-contaminated grain poses a risk to animal and human health. Such grain may be rejected, require cleaning or demand a reduced price.

The increased scientific understanding and improvements in agricultural practices and milling techniques (grading, sieving and sorting) have eliminated the severe epidemic outbreaks of ergotism in the UK.

Limits for ergot in traded grain are usually based on the amount (weight) of ergot. However, in 2022, the EU implemented stricter levels for specific cereals and products traded in the EU (including Northern Ireland), which introduced maximum levels (MLs) for ergot alkaloids for the first time. Adoption into UK law is being considered.

As alkaloids can be detected in grain with no visible ergot symptoms, they provide a tougher test for grain quality.

The GB maximum levels (MLs), which apply in England, Scotland and Wales (Assimilated Law EU 1881/2006), are as follows:

Food

• 0.5g/kg for ergot sclerotia in unprocessed cereal, with the exception of corn and rice
• There are no MLs for ergot alkaloids

Animal Feed

• 1g/kg for ergot sclerotia in feed materials and compound feed containing unground cereals (source)

Ergot limits in grain contracts may be lower than the legal requirements.

The approved AIC Contract for Grains/Pulses states that:

“grain shall not contain more than 0.001% ergot by weight for feed grain and zero tolerance for all other grain.”

The maximum levels for ergot sclerotia are currently defined within the Codex standards at a level of 0.05%.

Before signing a contract, negotiate, establish and accept all terms. Grain buyers are obliged to make available the terms and conditions on which the contract is made.

The EU maximum levels (MLs), which apply in Northern Ireland, are as follows.

Food 

Ergot sclerotia for unprocessed cereals (except for maize and rice):

• 0.2g/kg

Ergot alkaloids for cereals and milling products:

• Barley, spelt, and oats with ash content lower than 900 mg/100 g dry matter (e.g. white flour): 50 μg/kg
• Wheat with ash content lower than 900 mg/100 g dry matter (e.g. white flour): 100 μg/kg (reducing to 50 μg/kg as from 1 July 2028)
• Barley, wheat spelt and oats with ash content equal to or higher than 900 mg/100 g (e.g. wholemeal flour): 150 μg/kg
• Barley, wheat, spelt and oats grains placed on the market for the final consumer: 150 μg/kg
• Rye milling products or rye placed on the market for the final consumer: 500 μg/kg (reducing to 250 μg/kg as from 1 July 2028)
• For processed cereal-based food for infants and young children: 20 μg/kg

These are not in GB-retained EU law, although adoption is due to be considered.

Animal Feed

• 1g/kg for ergot sclerotia in feed materials and compound feed containing unground cereals (source)

There are standards for the number of ergot pieces for certified seed (visual inspection):

• Up to three pieces per 500g (regulatory minimum standard)
• One piece per 1000g (higher voluntary standard)

There are year-to-year fluctuations in ergot severity that can be explained, to some extent, by variations in weather during flowering.

The AHDB contaminants monitoring project shows that ergot alkaloid levels in UK cereals are generally very low, but spikes are seen in some cereal samples in some years.

As ergot adds costs across the cereal supply chain and contributes to food waste, it is critical to adopt efficient approaches to tackle ergot at source.

With limited information on varietal resistance and fungicide efficacy, control relies heavily on other methods that disrupt the pathogen’s life cycle.

Agrochemical residues, mycotoxins and other major contaminants in cereals and co-products have been monitored independently since the mid-1980s. Find out about our research that aims to help ensure the safety of UK grain and its end products.

How ergot alkaloids can move to apparently ‘clean’ grain has been revealed by our research. Mycotoxins appear to move between flowers and can be detected in grain that appears clear of infection. It was also found that broken ergot sclerotia in harvested grain can be a potentially significant contamination source.

In this video, Joe Brennan, UK Flour Millers, provides an overview of the ergot challenge, including why it matters to millers and what farmers can do to manage the disease.