Toxicants, natural glucosinolates

The Dutch-Danish 1991 philosophy paper highlighted that the Codex definition of a contaminant does not include inherent natural toxins (e.g. the glucosinolates and phycotoxins), since these substances are present in food as a result of the metabolic processes in the organism. It was then decided to have the GSCTF also to include such toxins, as they may in many ways be similar to contaminants. Many toxins are at least as toxic to humans as most contaminants, and they may also cause problems in international trade.10 It was also recommended and agreed by the CCFAC that the GSCTF should be based upon a horizontal approach, i.e. covering the important contaminants in all relevant foods, and that the MLs should be set as low as reasonably achievable - the ALARA principle. 

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