Evaluation of the risks for animal health related to the presence of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in feed for honey bees.

ABSTRACT: The European Commission has asked the EFSA to evaluate the risk for animal health related to the presence of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in honey bee feed. HMF is a degradation product of particular sugars and can be present in bee feed. HMF is of low acute toxicity in bees but causes increased mortality upon chronic exposure. A benchmark dose lower limit 10% (BMDL₁₀) of 1.16 μg HMF per bee per day has been calculated from mortalities observed in a 20-day study and established as a Reference Point covering also mortality in larvae, drones and queens for which no or insufficient toxicity data were available. Winter bees have a much longer lifespan than summer bees and HMF shows clear time reinforced toxicity (TRT) characteristics. Therefore, additional Reference Point intervals o

SUBMITTER: EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9019825 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature