Mycotoxins: Occurrence, toxicology, and exposure assessment

• Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A are the more widespread mycotoxins.
• The exposure to DON and to the sum of T2 + HT2 toxins can be moderate in the European countries.
• Some special population groups can be over-exposed to several mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are abiotic hazards produced by certain fungi that can grow on a variety of crops. Consequently, their prevalence in plant raw materials may be relatively high. The concentration of mycotoxins in finished products is usually lower than in raw materials. In this review, occurrence and toxicology of the main mycotoxins are summarised. Furthermore, methodological approaches for exposure assessment are described. Existing exposure assessments, both through contamination and consumption data and biomarkers of exposure, for the main mycotoxins are also discussed.