Management of mycotoxin contamination in feeds

It is not possible to avoid, predict or prevent mycotoxin occurrence during pre-harvest and feed storage. Despite efforts to control fungal contamination, extensive mycotoxin contamination has been reported to occur in feed. Therefore, their presence represents a constant health risk for animals. The European Union (EU) has established the most comprehensive regulations for mycotoxins in feed, expressed in the form of sampling procedures, analysis and maximum or guidance levels. These regulations largely affect raw material traders, feed industry and feed management at farm level, to ensure compliance with EU legislation requirements and ensure feed safety. This paper reviews the main operations and effective tools to properly manage the mycotoxin risk in the feed supply chain, focusing on the management practices to be considered at the level of feed industry and farm. Practical approaches will be discussed in the context of the current scientific research literature. Risks associated with mycotoxin contaminated feed can be reduced by following an integrated mycotoxin prevention and control management. To properly manage mycotoxin contamination in feed, the primary strategy is prevention in field and during storage. Regular feed monitoring for mycotoxin occurrence is the first critical point in order to obtain a right balance between safety, animal health, productivity and economic aspects in the respect of legislation regarding maximum or guidance levels. Despite strenuous prevention, control and management efforts, feed contamination with mycotoxins is an ever present problem for feed processors and farmers. Therefore, there is a great demand for mycotoxin mitigation and control strategies.