Ergot is a fungal disease of rye, wheat and other grasses caused by Claviceps purpurea, which replaces kernels with dark sclerotia containing toxic ergot alkaloids.
In trade practice
Cool, wet weather at flowering favours it, and rye is most exposed. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for sclerotia and alkaloids in food, and Directive 2002/32/EC covers sclerotia in feed. Optical sorting removes most sclerotia before milling.
In a specification
Reference the instruments and ask for alkaloid results on rye and rye flour.