Workshop on trichothecenes with a focus on DON: summary report

A number of mycotoxins of the class of trichothecenes are produced by a variety of Fusarium fungi commonly found on cereals. Unfavourable weather conditions may lead to a high level of Fusarium infections in crops such as wheat and correspondingly high trichothecene contents. The ILSI Europe Natural Toxin Task Force therefore organised a workshop on trichothecenes with a special focus on deoxynivalenol (DON).

A number of experts reviewed the current knowledge on trichothecenes with respect to occurrence, including aspects of mould growth, toxin formation, storage and effects of processing; prevention; analytical methodologies, including sampling; surveillance and exposure assessments; and toxicology and risk assessment.

A number of recommendations were given under the headings: prevention, sampling and analytical methods, exposure assessment, and toxicology. Gaps in knowledge were also identified.