A new certified reference material developed by the European Commission Joint Research Centre aims to improve laboratories’ ability to detect cereulide, a toxin linked to serious foodborne intoxications. The initiative is designed to strengthen analytical reliability and support food safety monitoring across Europe.
JRC strengthens laboratory capacity to detect cereulide in starch-rich foods
Within Europe’s complex food safety landscape, reliable laboratory results are a fundamental requirement for protecting public health. The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission recently announced the development of a new certified reference material (CRM) designed to enhance the detection of cereulide in control laboratories.
The toxin has been associated with significant food poisoning incidents and requires rigorous analytical protocols. The introduction of this new tool represents not only a technical improvement but also a systemic response to the need for more accurate monitoring of starch-rich foods. By standardising procedures and using traceable reference materials, the EU aims to improve the quality of analytical measurements and strengthen consumer protection.
Cereulide: what it is and why it matters
Cereulide is a toxin produced by the bacterium Bacillus cereus, responsible for severe forms of food poisoning. Its risk is closely linked to starch-rich foods such as rice, pasta and potato-based dishes, which represent the most frequent sources of outbreaks caused by this microorganism.
When these foods become contaminated, the toxin can develop at concentrations capable of causing significant illness in those who consume them. Cereulide is also heat-resistant, making it difficult to eliminate through cooking.
From a food safety perspective, the main challenge lies in accurately identifying and quantifying cereulide in complex food matrices. Detecting the toxin requires analytical methods capable of precise quantitative determination in order to assess the real risk to consumers.
A rice-based reference material for laboratory validation
To address this need, scientists at the Joint Research Centre laboratories developed ERM®-BD300, a rice-based reference material designed to assess the performance of analytical methods and support internal quality control in laboratories.
The choice of cooked rice as the matrix is deliberate: starch-based dishes are the most common vectors of cereulide intoxication.
The most innovative aspect of ERM®-BD300 lies in the precision with which the toxin concentration has been determined. Researchers selected a strategic concentration level that balances two conditions: it is lower than the documented threshold for symptom onset in adults, yet higher than the limit of quantification (LOQ) of current analytical methods. This allows laboratories to assign a reliable reference value.
The CRM strengthens scientific quality standards
A key element of the initiative is alignment with the international standard ISO 18465, which defines a laboratory method for measuring cereulide in food using mass spectrometry analysis.
Integrating the ERM®-BD300 reference material into protocols based on ISO 18465 allows laboratories to verify the accuracy of their analytical methods or validate new procedures for detecting, identifying and quantifying the toxin.
The application of international standards, supported by certified reference materials, reduces uncertainty in analytical results and strengthens confidence in decisions taken by food safety authorities. Without a reliable comparison material, laboratories could produce inconsistent data, undermining the effectiveness of food safety policies.
The new CRM therefore acts as a scientific quality benchmark, ensuring that every analysis follows a rigorous and internationally recognised validation pathway.
