The MyToolbox EU–China Partnership—Progress and Future Directions in Mycotoxin Research and Management

Abstract

Affordable and practical tools for farmers and food processors along the chain are required to efficiently reduce the risk of mycotoxin contamination of crops, feeds and foods. Developing new tools and enhancing existing ones was the mission of MyToolBox—a four-year EU-project that included important Chinese partners and joint research efforts. To identify future directions in mycotoxin research and management in China and their role in China–EU relations, a unique stakeholder workshop including group discussions was organized in Beijing. Six related topics: biocontrol, forecasting, sampling and analysis, silo management, detoxification, and the development of safe use options for contaminated materials were covered. The discussions clearly identified a critical need for smart, integrated strategies to address mycotoxin issues to attain safer food and feed, and to minimize losses and export rejections. Managing data on when, where and the size of mycotoxin contamination events and identifying the institution(s) to manage them are complex issues in China. Studies of microbes and novel, genetically-altered enzymes to limit pre-harvest contamination and to manage post-harvest product detoxification and alternate uses of contaminated materials are in the early stages in China. Further efforts are needed to increase the visibility of mycotoxin problems beyond the scientific and research communities.

Key Global Actions for Mycotoxin Management in Wheat and Other Small Grains

“…From the list of ideas, particular ideas and general trends of note often can be identified. This technique has been used previously to identify priority areas for research on mycotoxins [ 36 , 437 , 438 ]. Six questions were selected for discussion ( Table 1 ).…”

Deoxynivalenol Occurrence in Triticale Crops in Romania during the 2012–2014 Period with Extreme Weather Events

“…These contaminations led to notifications and alerts in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), and to derogations from the European Commission’s maximum limits [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. To prevent mycotoxins from entering the food and feed chains, universities and research institutes have developed national and international partnerships to determine the effect of climatic conditions in the field and postharvest contamination, and the European Commission and the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authorities have developed regulations and a single integrated multiannual national control plan [ 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Research in meteorology and climatology has also been intensified to explain extreme weather events from a climate change perspective [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Effective approaches for early identification and proactive mitigation of aflatoxins in peanuts: An EU–China perspective

“…Identifying future directions in mycotoxin research and the management of these contaminants in China as well as their role in China‐EU relations were the subject of multiple joint conferences. A stakeholder workshop in Beijing in 2019 (Leslie et al., 2020) included group discussions of six topics: biocontrol, forecasting, sampling and analysis, silo management, detoxification, and the development of safe use options for contaminated materials. These discussions reinforced known needs for smart, integrated strategies that address mycotoxin issues and increase food and feed safety while simultaneously minimizing losses and export rejections.…”

“…The more extreme weather events anticipated in many regions, especially increased heat and droughts, will increase stress on plants that host mycotoxin‐producing fungi. Predicted climate changes in the EU and China will increase the area in which aflatoxin contamination may occur as well as intensify the problem in areas where it already occurs (Leslie et al., 2020).…”

“…As noted above, up to 80% of global plant‐based foods may be contaminated with detectable amounts of mycotoxins (Eskola et al., 2020). Thus, both acute and subacute exposure to mycotoxins may threaten the health and productivity of humans and domesticated animals (Cimbalo et al., 2020; Edite Bezerra da Rocha et al., 2014; Leslie et al., 2020). Many countries regulate the level of mycotoxins in imports, which means mycotoxins are not only health hazards but also are important phytosanitary (nontariff) trade barriers (van Egmond, 2002).…”