Food News

The presence of biogenic amines in foods prepared from chicken meat has recently been assessed by the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN).

The report focuses on the potential risk of foodborne intoxication in children under 3 years of age, a particularly vulnerable group in which even moderate exposure to these substances may lead to significant adverse effects due to lower body weight and still-developing detoxification mechanisms.

Biogenic amines, including histamine and tyramine, are compounds that can form in protein-rich foods when certain bacteria convert amino acids through decarboxylation processes. Their occurrence is directly associated with:

• Raw materials with high microbial loads
• Hygiene deficiencies during processing
• Breaks in the cold chain
• Prolonged storage

In addition to their potential toxic effects, their presence indicates loss of freshness and insufficient hygienic control. Importantly, these substances are heat-stable: subsequent cooking does not eliminate the risk once they have formed.

The AESAN report highlights the increased susceptibility of young children, whose lower body weight and immature metabolic systems make them more vulnerable to acute exposure.

In the absence of specific regulatory limits for chicken meat, AESAN uses reference values proposed for adults (50 mg of histamine and 600 mg of tyramine per meal) and performs a proportional extrapolation based on children’s body weight. This approach establishes indicative acute reference doses (ARfD) per meal as follows:

These values do not constitute legal limits, but they represent essential technical tools for risk assessment in collective catering and the preparation of meals intended for young children.

YOUR PLUS: In AGROLAB Group laboratories, we offer ISO 17025-accredited analysis of histamine and other biogenic amines. In addition, we provide accredited determination of the BAI index, a useful indicator for assessing product quality and the risk associated with the presence of amines in certain food products. Our analytical services enable companies to anticipate food safety issues, ensure compliance with current regulations, and above all, protect consumer health in line with the recommendations outlined in the AESAN report.

Author: Dr. Isabel Gómez, AGROLAB Iberica