Mycotoxins in Asia: is China in danger?

Mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone are considered to be of particular concern in relation to human and animal health. Contamination of agricultural products by mycotoxins has become an important issue worldwide over the last three decades. Asia contributes a very large part of the globe with most developing countries in the tropical and subtropical regions favouring the growth of fungal species. There is a high potential of mycotoxin occurrence and a number of important mycotoxin outbreaks in Asia. In recent years, increasing number of survey in Asia with regard to prevalence of mycotoxins has evidenced the seriousness of mycotoxins problem in this continent. Among Asian countries, China is the most populous nation with a population of over 1.3 billion. Due to extensive and complex topography, diverse climate zones in China have provided various optimal environments for the growth of mycotoxins-producing fungi. It is evident that people in China have been exposed to various mycotoxins simultaneously in a frequent and chronic manner. Effort on investigation and monitoring with regard to mycotoxins contamination and exposure is necessitated for the sake of public health in this populous country. This review presents several mycotoxins exhibiting strong ecological link with human food supply in Asia. Human mycotoxicoses relating to these mycotoxins, especially in Asia, are highlighted and their contaminations of human foodstuffs in the 21st century in Asian countries are summarized. In particular, the current situation and control measures with regard to mycotoxin contamination in China are discussed.