Mycotoxins in Wheat: A Growing Food Safety Threat Across Europe
Wheat in Europe is under growing attack from harmful mycotoxins, which cause illness in humans and animals, according to a study from the University of Bath. Almost half of European wheat crops are impacted by Fusarium Head Blight, a fungal infection that gives rise to the toxins.
The research team, led by Neil Brown, Ph.D., examined the largest Fusarium mycotoxins monitoring datasets available from governments and agribusiness, focusing on wheat grain entering the European food and animal feed supply chains. By using data from across Europe (including the UK) from the past 10 years, the team built the most complete picture yet of the mycotoxin threat and how it is changing.