It has been 50 years since the identification of the mycotoxin aflatoxin and, arguably, the establishment of the field of mycotoxicology. Over that time we have obtained a great deal of understanding about these insidious poisons that are produced as secondary metabolites of common fungi when they grow in foods and feeds. Mycotoxins cause acute sickness, cancer, kidney failure and other effects including death in humans, and poor performance, sickness or death in domestic animals. Additionally, mycotoxins have a profound economic impact on global agriculture and food security. This symposium will examine the major mycotoxins, including aflatoxin, fumonisins, trichothecene toxins and ochratoxin A, and highlight the multifaceted effects of mycotoxin contamination in foods and feeds. Speakers will reflect on mycotoxin research, intervention strategies to control mycotoxin contamination and visions for the future impacts of mycotoxins on global food safety and food security.

Presentations