Mycotoxin contamination remains a major global challenge, with significant consequences for agricultural productivity, health, and economic stability, particularly in African countries.

Mycotoxins are toxins produced by fungi that can be detected in food and feed contaminated commodities.

Fungi contamination and growth can occur in the field, before production, during storage, processing, transportation or marketing of the commodities and staple crops such as maize, peanuts, cassava, and sorghum, consequently becoming one of the major risks of food losses. 

The consumption of contaminated food and feed can affect human and animal health. The reiterated ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated food can have severe health consequences; mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin, and fumonisins, can cause a range of serious illnesses, including liver cancer, immune suppression, stunted growth in children, and even death in severe cases. Aflatoxins, in particular, are a major concern in many African countries.   

High temperature, extreme weather conditions (drought, heavy rainfall), moisture content and presence of pests are among the factors that facilitate the presence of fungi and the production of mycotoxins. 

Climate change and the increased occurrence of climate extremes, together with the lack of international common guidelines, standards and regulations, make mycotoxin contamination prevention more challenging. The warm and humid climate in many parts of World creates ideal conditions for mould growth. Droughts and excessive moisture, particularly during the harvest season, exacerbate fungal contamination. 

In Africa in particular, mycotoxin contamination remains a major source of concern. Mycotoxin contamination adversely affects not only health and nutrition quality, but also commodity trade and the economy in general leading to significant economic losses. These are due to crop spoilage, reduced quality, and contamination of food products that become unsuitable for human consumption or animal feed. This influences trade, especially export markets where countries must comply with international food safety standards. 

In general, the lack of access to the knowledge and technology needed to prevent or reduce contamination, as well as inadequate storage facilities or post-harvest management practices increase the risk of mycotoxin contamination. 

In many developing countries, mycotoxins have a direct impact on food safety, food and nutrition security and represent an important element of the food environment that influences the sustainability of food systems. 

In the KC, Mycotoxins and Food Security remains present as a related theme of Sustainable Food Systems and within the area of interest of the European Union thanks to HORIZON2020 ongoing funded projects as FS4Africa, MYMACHT and UPRISE.