Survey of solid impurities and active infestation in flours produced in Calabria (Italy)

A survey was conducted in different mills located in Calabria (Southern Italy) with the aim of assessing the hygiene conditions of milling products. Five different types of flour collected from fifteen mills located in the five provinces of Calabria were analyzed. The size of the mills surveyed ranged from small family businesses to large companies. Solid impurities were isolated, identified and analyzed using the Italian official light-filth method. Active infestations were detected by sieving the flour. In some mills shortcomings in terms of pest control have been highlighted. The most common infesting species found were Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus spp., Tribolium spp. Stegobium paniceum and Ephestia spp. Only in one case the presence of rodent hairs, attributable to Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus, was recorded.

► Tribolium castaneum, Tribolium confusum and Ephestia kuehniella were detected by means of sieving method. ► Insect fragments derived mainly from internal-feeding insects. ► Identified arthropod particles were mainly ascribed to internal-feeding insects.