Mycotoxin in Food

Could There Be Mycotoxins in Your Food?

EMSL Analytical provides food testing services to identify mycotoxins and other contaminants to help prevent product recalls and foodborne illnesses.

Cinnaminson, NJ, February 9^th, 2015

Earlier this month, Food Safety Magazine published, “Mycotoxins: A Food Safety Crisis.”  The article discusses the tremendous amount of food that is rejected at international borders and goes to waste each year due to storage techniques that allow for the growth of mold and subsequent presence of mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by some types of fungi, also commonly referred to as mold.  The toxins may cling to the surface of mold spores and others may be found within the spores. More than 200 mycotoxins have been identified from common molds and many more likely remain to be identified.  

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Aflatoxin B1 is perhaps the most well-known and studied mycotoxin. It can be produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and is one of the most potent carcinogens known. Ingestion of aflatoxin B1 can cause liver cancer.”

These toxins are known to contaminate cereals, peanuts, feeds, grains and other types of foods, especially if they are improperly stored. There are regulations in many countries that specify a maximum allowable concentration of mycotoxins in food products and various types of animal feed. 

“These toxins can be present in different food types and commodities that can cause adverse effects on both humans and animals,” said Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “At EMSL, we provide mycotoxin testing for to identify Fumonisin (B1, B2), T-2, Zearalenone, Ochratoxin A, DON (Vomitoxin) and Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2).  These services, available to food manufacturers, retailers, importers, exporters, government regulators and the general public, help to identify these toxins before they can enter the food supply and cause harm.”

To learn more about testing for mycotoxins or other food testing services, please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of food, environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.