Mycotoxins in Animal Feed

Risks, legislation and laboratory analysis.

Formation and persistence

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by moulds such as Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. They develop on feed materials such as grains and maize during cultivation or storage under warm, humid conditions. Due to their chemical stability, they remain intact during storage, transport and standard processing such as pelleting or extrusion.

Main mycotoxins in feed materials

Risks to animal health and supply chain integrity

• Livestock: reduced feed intake, growth retardation, reproductive disorders, immunosuppression
• Dairy cattle: reduced milk yield, aflatoxin B1 → aflatoxin M1 in milk
• Pigs: sensitive to DON (vomiting, feed refusal) and ZEA (hormonal effects)
• Poultry: reduced egg production, OTA accumulation in liver

Carry-over: Aflatoxin B1 and OTA can enter the human food chain via milk, eggs or meat products.

Co-contamination and climate change

• Co-contamination of multiple toxins in a single sample is common
• Interaction between DON, ZEA and fumonisins increases toxicological risk (synergism)
• Climate change is causing shifts in contamination pressure and mould distribution, including within storage chains

Legal framework and monitoring (feed)

• Directive 2002/32/EC
  Maximum permitted levels for undesirable substances in animal feed, including aflatoxin B1, ZEA, DON and fumonisins
• Recommendation 2006/576/EC
  Monitoring of mycotoxin levels in feed materials; guidance values for Fusarium toxins
• Recommendations 2012/154/EU and 2013/165/EU
  Monitoring and evaluation of T-2/HT-2 and emerging mycotoxins
• Regulation (EU) 2023/2782
  Official analytical methods and sampling for feed control

Laboratory analysis at TLR

TLR analyses feed materials and animal feed ingredients for mycotoxins in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 (RvA L059). All methods used are validated and aligned with legal requirements and customer specifications.

Detection limits comply with the requirements of Directive 2002/32/EC and related recommendations. Reports include reference to the relevant limits, measurement uncertainty and accreditation details.

Feed chain and assurance

• GMP+ FSA
  Mandatory for many producers and processors; includes risk-based monitoring of mycotoxins
• SecureFeed
  Supply chain assurance programme with specific requirements for sampling, analysis frequency and supplier assessment
• Manure testing (indicative)
  Traces of mycotoxins in manure may indicate prolonged exposure and carry-over risks

Conclusion

Mycotoxins in animal feed pose risks to animal health, production results and food safety. Through accredited analysis, supply chain-focused monitoring and compliance with legal frameworks, TLR supports producers and processors in managing these risks in a changing climate.