Mycotoxins
 Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites of fungi belonging,
essentially, to the Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium genera.
These naturally occurring chemical compounds can be produced on a wide range
of agricultural commodities and under a diverse range of situations worldwide.
The accumulation of mycotoxins in foods and feeds represents
a major threat to human and animal health as they are responsible for many
different toxicities including the induction of cancer, mutagenicity and estrogenic
gastrointestinal, urogenital, vascular, kidney and nervous disorders. Some
mycotoxins are also immuno-compromising, and can thus reduce resistance to
infectious disease.
Significant economic losses are associated with their impact
on human health, animal productivity, and both domestic and international trade.
It is estimated that 25% of the world's food crops, including many basic foods,
are affected by mycotoxin producing fungi. A ccording to FAO estimates global
losses of foodstuffs due to mycotoxins are in the range of 1000 million tonnes
per year.
There is an ongoing need to protect the health of humans and
susceptible animals by limiting their exposure to mycotoxins. Despite many
years of research, and the introduction of good practices in the food production,
storage and distribution chain, mycotoxins continue to be a problem. Many countries
regulate for, or suggest permitted levels of, mycotoxins in foods and feed
because of their public health significance and commercial impact.
AGNS assists Member Countries in the prevention and control of
mycotoxins through a variety of activities:
- Training on the application of HACCP principles to mycotoxin
prevention and control;
- International conferences and meetings;
- Workshops
on quality assurance for mycotoxin testing laboratories;
- Field
projects on mycotoxins in commodities;
- International mechanisms
to identify food-related emerging risks.
See also
Integrated food control systems > Good practices and quality
assurance
Integrated food control systems > Laboratory quality assurance |
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