Screening of moulds and mycotoxins in tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, soft red fruits and derived tomato products

•Screening of mycotoxins and moulds in tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, soft red fruits.•AOH and AME were detected on moulded tomatoes, onions and soft red fruits.•AOH, AME and TeA were detected in derived tomato products.

International standards and European legislation are available for well established mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (AF), ochratoxin A (OTA) and trichothecenes in a variety of dried plant products. However, information of mycotoxins in fresh fruit and vegetable produce and derived products is limited. A semi-quantitative screening method was developed to screen for six mycotoxins (alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), OTA and fumonisin B1, B2 and B3 (FB)) relevant in different matrices (tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and soft red fruits). On tomatoes, onions and soft red fruits, Alternaria spp. and their associated mycotoxins were detected. Derived tomato products were also screened and six out of 173 samples and four out of 173 samples were positive for AOH and AME, respectively. Moreover, 11/11 derived tomato products, containing AOH or AME, were positive for tenuazonic acid (TeA) as well. A dietary exposure assessment was performed for TeA with Belgian consumption data, and the obtained mean value (4230 ng/kg bw/day) was higher than the threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) value of 1500 ng/kg bw/day set by EFSA. This study demonstrates the necessity for further mycotoxin research in the fresh produce chain in order to guarantee the safety and health of the consumers.