Risk assessment to humans of mycotoxins in animal-derived food products

Abstract

This paper addresses approaches for assessing potential human health hazards from the presence of natural toxicants, such as mycotoxins, in animal food products. At high levels in feed these mycotoxins may cause loss or illness of farm animals, through development of animal toxicoses, such as aflatoxicosis. At lower levels in feed these mycotoxins may have no apparent effect on livestock production, but their residues and related substances may move up the food chain. This indirect intake of mycotoxins and related substances from the consumption of animal food products may pose a health hazard to humans. These health hazards are compared to the possible health hazards from the direct intake by humans of cereal and other food crops that may contain mycotoxins.