Occurrence Data of Trichothecene Mycotoxins T-2 Toxin and HT-2 Toxin in Food and Feed

T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin are mycotoxins that are produced by several Fusarium species in cereal grains. They may contaminate the harvest grain and feed and food products thereof, and - after ingestion - affect animal and human health.



The aim of the current study was to collect, compile and synthesise data on T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, including contamination of food and feed commodities and products thereof in Europe, co-occurrence with other mycotoxins, and factors (environmental, agronomic and processing) influencing the levels of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in plant products used for food and feed production.



The available data show that oats can be highly contaminated with T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, with frequently high incidence and concentration. Particularly, contamination seems to have increased in 2005 and some following years, at least in the Scandinavian countries. The occurrence and concentration of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin in barley has increased across Europe since 2004, and stabilized at an incidence of about 80%. Contamination in the resulting malt used for beer production has also increased. In some occasions, maize is contaminated with T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, usually at a moderate level. T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin contamination of wheat occurs very infrequently and at a low concentration level. Feed products that can be highly contaminated include by-products from oat processing (pellets). Food products generally show low incidence and concentration of T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin, however, oat products may contain the two mycotoxins.



In commodities, T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin are highly correlated to each other with the level of HT-2 toxin being between nearly two to seven times higher than T-2 toxin. In food products, the relationship between T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin is weak or even absent. T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin seem to have no correlation with deoxynivalenol and nivalenol in cereals. Field factors that influence T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin include region-year (climate), variety, sowing date, pre-crop, and organic production. Fungicides seem to have no or only a weak effect. Processing cereals will substantially reduce T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin contamination in food products due to redistribution over the various cereal fractions. The toxin levels increase in the by-products, which are often used for animal feeding.



The results of this study may be used in risk assessments on T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin at the European level, such to establish maximum permissible limits in feed and food products and/or their commodities.