The aim of this focus action was to check wheat and rye (incl. flour) for contamination by mycotoxins. 47 samples from all over Austria were examined.

• No sample was rejected

Mycotoxins are natural, secondary metabolites of lower fungi with toxic, partly carcinogenic effects (can contribute to the development of cancer) on humans and animals. Very high levels can have acute toxic effects; chronic ingestion of low levels can cause organ damage. The ingestion of mycotoxins thus poses a potential risk to human health. The molds relevant for foodstuffs attack the grain already in the field (field molds) or arise during storage (storage molds),transport or further processing.