INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY GUIDANCE

RESEARCH & IMPACT

Advancing Food Safety Through Independent Research

At Clean Food Solutions Research Institute, our mission is to better understand foodborne contaminants and their potential effects on human health. Through independent laboratory testing, university partnerships, and peer-reviewed research, we investigate mycotoxins in the food supply, identify gaps in food safety oversight, and work toward practical solutions that protect consumers—particularly infants and children.

Our research focuses on three priorities: understanding what is in our food, investigating the biological effects of exposure, and translating scientific findings into better food safety practices.

Understanding the Science Behind Mycotoxin Exposure

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducts scientific risk assessments of mycotoxins and other foodborne contaminants. Its work provides important reference points for evaluating dietary exposure, toxicological concerns, and food safety standards.

Many mycotoxins identified in our research have established EFSA scientific assessments, while others remain under evaluation or have significant toxicological data gaps.

Below are selected EFSA resources organized by the major mycotoxin groups investigated in our research.

Aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2)

Produced primarily by Aspergillus species, aflatoxins are among the most extensively studied foodborne mycotoxins. Aflatoxin B1 is genotoxic and carcinogenic, making dietary exposure an important food safety concern.

EFSA: Aflatoxins in Food – Risk Assessment

Ochratoxin A (OTA)

OTA is associated with kidney toxicity and carcinogenicity concerns. EFSA's 2020 assessment identified potential health concerns across consumer groups and evaluated dietary exposure.

EFSA: Ochratoxin A – Public Health Risk Assessment

Fusarium Trichothecenes (DON, NIV, T-2, HT-2 and derivatives)

These mycotoxins are frequently associated with cereal grains and grain-based products. EFSA has evaluated their toxicological effects, dietary exposure, and health-based guidance values. Their effects on gastrointestinal function and cellular processes remain important areas of investigation.

DON: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7010102/

NIV: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3262

T-2 and HT-2 Toxins: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4972

Fumonisins (FB1, FB2, FB3)

Fumonisins are produced primarily by Fusarium species and are frequently associated with corn and corn-based foods. Their effects on sphingolipid metabolism and potential toxicological consequences make them important contaminants to monitor.

Fumonisins: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7009576/

Zearalenone (ZEN) and Modified Forms

Zearalenone is a Fusarium mycotoxin with estrogenic activity. EFSA has evaluated its endocrine-disrupting effects, dietary exposure, and health-based guidance values.

Zearalenone: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4425

Emerging Cyclic Hexadepsipeptides (Enniatins and Beauvericin)

Enniatins and beauvericin are emerging Fusarium mycotoxins frequently identified in cereal products. Their potential cytotoxicity, membrane effects, and combined exposure warrant further investigation. EFSA has conducted previous assessments and continues scientific work on these compounds.

Enniatins and Beauvericin: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12085332/

Alternaria Mycotoxins (AOH and AME)

Alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether are emerging mycotoxins produced by Alternaria species. They are of particular interest because of their occurrence in grains, cereals, and other plant-derived foods. EFSA has ongoing scientific work examining their potential risks.

Alternaria toxins: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4654

Additional Mycotoxins: Cyclopiazonic acid, Citrinin, Sterigmatocystin and Other Emerging Compounds

Several additional compounds identified in our research have limited toxicological data and less established food safety guidance. These include cyclopiazonic acid, citrinin, sterigmatocystin, and other emerging fungal metabolites.

EFSA's ongoing contaminant surveillance and scientific assessments provide an important resource for identifying research priorities and data gaps. Little data are available to perform risk assessments for Cyclopiazonic acid, Citrinin, and Sterigmatocystin, among other emerging compounds. More research is needed on the occurrence of these compounds in human-processed foods, as well as their separate and combined effects on humans and animals, to protect the public.

EFSA Citrinin: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2605

EFSA Sterigmatocystin: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3254

EFSA: 2026 Food and Feed Contaminant Monitoring – Mycotoxin List

Note: EFSA scientific opinions and assessments provide scientific advice to European risk managers; they are not U.S. regulatory standards. Not every emerging mycotoxin has an established tolerable daily intake or completed human health risk assessment. EFSA's monitoring lists also should not be interpreted as evidence that every listed compound has an established regulatory limit.