13/01/2026
Mycotoxins are not just a laboratory topic — they are a real and growing public health concern.
Produced by certain molds, mycotoxins can contaminate staple foods such as cereals, nuts, spices, coffee, and animal feed. Long-term exposure, even at low levels, has been linked to liver damage, immune suppression, endocrine disruption, and increased cancer risk. Some mycotoxins are also known to affect child development and animal productivity, making them a concern for both human health and the global food supply chain.
What makes mycotoxins particularly dangerous is that they are chemically stable. They can survive food processing steps such as heating, drying, and fermentation. Once contamination occurs, elimination becomes extremely difficult — prevention and monitoring are often the only effective strategies.
So why are mycotoxins receiving so much attention now?
First, climate change is altering temperature and humidity patterns, creating conditions that favor mold growth in regions previously considered low risk.
Second, globalized trade means raw materials travel long distances and through multiple storage environments, increasing the chance of contamination.
Third, regulatory limits are becoming stricter, and more mycotoxins are being included in routine monitoring programs worldwide.
Finally, advances in analytical technology are making it possible to detect mycotoxins at much lower levels, revealing contamination that may have gone unnoticed in the past.
As a result, mycotoxin testing has become one of the fastest-growing areas in food and feed safety analysis. Laboratories are under increasing pressure to deliver accurate, reliable, and traceable results — not only for compliance, but for consumer trust.
This is where robust sample preparation, validated methods, and reliable reference materials make a real difference. Accurate detection is the foundation for risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and ultimately, food safety.
The conversation around mycotoxins is no longer limited to experts. It is becoming a shared responsibility across laboratories, producers, regulators, and solution providers.
And it’s only getting started.