Mycotoxins in Grains and Cereals Intended for Human Consumption: Brazilian Legislation, Occurrence Above Maximum Levels and Co-Occurrence

Brazil is one of the largest food producers and exporters in the world, with the responsibility for producing food in adequate quantity and quality for consumption. In Brazil, the National Health Surveillance Agency defines the maximum tolerated limits (MTL) for mycotoxins in food, as presented in RDC/ANVISA No. 07 of 2011. This review begins with a general introduction to Brazilian legislation regarding MTL and regulations for mycotoxins. Subsequently, classification, toxicity, health risks and the mycotoxins MTL in grains and cereals are presented, followed by a collection of the main works published in the last ten years where the MTL is surpassed in different grains and cereals. The risk of co-exposure to mycotoxins, and studies demonstrating the different mycotoxins co-occurrence in grains and cereals grown in Brazil are also addressed. At least, the Brazilian legislation on mycotoxins is compared to the USA and EU. Different studies from the last ten years indicate that the mycotoxins MTL is exceeded in several grains and cereals intended for human consumption. Furthermore, co-occurrence is also demonstrated in different studies, occurring mainly in wheat, rice, corn, barley, cocoa and soybeans.

Automated summary

This article introduces the regulations and maximum tolerated limits for mycotoxins in Brazil, and discusses the findings of recent studies indicating that several grains intended for human consumption in Brazil exceed the mycotoxins limits. The co-occurrence of mycotoxins in different grains grown in Brazil is also addressed.