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Produced by certain moulds, thriving in crops such as grain, nuts and coffee, mycotoxins have contaminated agriculture and food production industries for a long time. To intensify the challenge, mycotoxins are resilient, not easily broken down and ensuring the safety of food supply chains requires comprehensive solutions and we are here to share those solutions with you.

 

Regulatory compliance around the world

To help protect consumers and ensure safety within the food supply chain, commissions are responsible for setting maximum levels for certain mycotoxins in food and feed.

European standards

In February 2024, the European Union introduced two new regulations that will take effect from April 1, 2024, focusing on the sampling and analysis of mycotoxins and plant toxins. Regulation (EU) 2023/2782 will replace the existing Regulation (EC) No. 401/2006 for mycotoxins, while Regulation (EU) 2023/2783 will establish criteria for plant toxin analysis. These regulations aim to enhance official controls and encourage industrial self-monitoring, with transitional periods extending until 2028 and 2029 for adaptation of methods. Additional measures under Article 4(4) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 are expected to follow, underscoring the EU’s commitment to rigorous toxin management in food safety.¹

American standards

In the US, the FDA and USDA set mycotoxin standards to ensure safety within the food supply chain, including limiting aflatoxins in specific foods and feeds. In September 2024, the US FDA updated the Mycotoxins in Domestic and Imported Human Foods Compliance Program to enhance mycotoxin monitoring. The update includes the addition of T-2/HT-2 toxins and zearalenone to its regulatory scope and the adoption of a multi-mycotoxin analysis method. This new approach enables the FDA to detect multiple mycotoxins in a single sample, generating data that supports enforcement actions, risk assessments, and international collaboration. Importantly, these changes do not impact the FDA’s ongoing surveillance of mycotoxins in animal food.²

 

Why mass spectrometry matters

Mass spectrometry (MS) is crucial in mycotoxin analysis due to its ability to accurately identify and quantify multiple mycotoxins in complex food and feed matrices. It offers high sensitivity and specificity, enabling the detection of trace levels of mycotoxins, even in challenging samples. Techniques like liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) are widely used for their precision and efficiency. MS also supports simultaneous analysis of various mycotoxins, saving time and resources while providing comprehensive data for risk assessments and regulatory compliance.³

1. Enhanced sensitivity: Unlike traditional screening methods, MS can detect trace amounts of mycotoxins, even when concentrations are extraordinarily low. This is crucial in ensuring food safety and compliance with stringent regulations.
2. Wide spectrum detection: Fungi can produce a diverse range of mycotoxins, and mass spectrometry is capable of identifying multiple types of mycotoxins simultaneously in a single analysis. This versatility makes it invaluable for both routine screenings and in-depth investigations.
3. Speed and efficiency: Time is of the essence in food production. Modern mass spectrometry methods are rapid, allowing producers to act quickly if contamination is detected, thus minimizing losses and protecting consumers.

 

The path forward

As mass spectrometry becomes increasingly integrated into mycotoxin detection, challenges remain. These include the need for advanced instrumentation, skilled technicians, and the ongoing development of standardized testing protocols. Despite these obstacles, the benefits of mass spec far outweigh the costs, paving the way for safer food systems.

By combining innovation with vigilance, industries and researchers can mitigate the risks posed by mycotoxins. Thanks to technologies like mass spectrometry, the once-unseen danger of fungal toxins is being illuminated—and conquered.

Discover our latest advancements in technology to help tackle your mycotoxin analysis today.

SCIEX 7500+ system Offering the lowest limits of detection for mycotoxin quantitation. It is designed to maintain exceptional sensitivity, even with the most crude and complex mycotoxin samples. Featuring the OptiFlow Pro ion source, it minimizes many sample preparation steps, making it highly effective in handling dirty extracts. Discover the technology >

SCIEX 6500+ system The SCIEX 6500+ system delivers outstanding power and sensitivity, reducing the need for certain cleanup steps when handling challenging mycotoxins. The IonDrive TurboV ion source provides the robustness required to manage samples across your testing catalog. Additionally, the SCIEX 6500+ is available as a QTRAP, offering enhanced product ion scans (EPI) for library confirmation. Discover the technology >

SCIEX OS software Streamline and simplify your workflows, delivering more and faster with software engineered for all your SCIEX mass spectrometry systems. Test drive now > Request more information >

 

 

References

1. https://www.eurofins.de/food-analysis/food-news/food-testing-news/mycotoxins-and-plant-toxins-in-foodstuffs/
2. https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-updates-mycotoxins-domestic-and-imported-human-foods-compliance-program
3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00253-010-2535-1