Deoxynivalenol contamination in cereal-based foodstuffs from Spain: Systematic review and meta-analysis approach for exposure assessment

The presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) has been repeatedly detected in cereal-based products collected from Spanish markets over the last years. Hence, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta analysis of the concentration and prevalence of DON in cereals and cereal-based products from Spanish markets intended for human consumption, in order to integrate the available data. Then, an exposure assessment was performed based on national consumption data. Results revealed a strong impact of DON in breakfast cereals (pooled concentration = 105.34 ng/g; pooled prevalence = 58%) and bread and derived products (pooled concentration = 95.17 ng/g; pooled prevalence = 67%). Meta-regression showed a decrease in DON prevalence (p-value = 0.761) and concentration (p-value = 0.027) over the last 15 years. Exposure assessment outlined a high exposure to DON, especially in infants and children below 3 years old that showed a 175% and 119% of the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Bread and derived products were the main contributor to DON throughout age groups, with %TDI values ranging from 12% to 34%. Therefore, the here-presented results provide more evidence about the non-negligible impact of DON in Spain as result of cereal-based products consumption.

Automated summary

The concentration and prevalence of DON in cereals and cereal-based products from Spanish markets have a significant impact, especially in breakfast cereals and bread products. There has been a decrease in both the concentration and prevalence of DON over the past 15 years. Children below 3 years old have a higher exposure to DON, with infants and children showing 175% and 119% of the tolerable daily intake respectively.