The aim of the focus action was to monitor the quinolizidine alkaloid content of products containing lupine on the market, as there are no maximum values for quinolizidine alkaloids in foodstuffs due to the paucity of data.

26 samples from all over Austria were examined: no sample was objected to.

Quinolizidine alkaloids are alkaloids present in all species of the genus Lupinus (lupines). These alkaloids cause poisoning with neurological, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, nausea and even respiratory paralysis. Lupine seeds can be classified into bitter lupine seeds (high content) and sweet lupine seeds (low content) based on their alkaloid content. Bitter lupin seeds are suitable for human consumption only after pretreatment (debittering), while sweet lupin seeds can be consumed without debittering. It is difficult for consumers to distinguish between these two groups.