Each year, dsm-firmenich analyzes a large number of feed samples from all around the world to understand and monitor contamination levels of mycotoxins in a variety of feed ingredients, according to a release. This information is shared in the annual dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey.
When ingested by animals, mycotoxins have a wide range of negative effects such as impaired reproduction, digestive disorders, carcinogenicity and reduced performance. Mycotoxins are naturally produced by fungi and can contaminate feed raw materials in the field and during storage.
The results from the January through June 2025 survey concluded that deoxynivalenol, zearalenone and fumonisins mycotoxins are most frequently found. The highest regions of mycotoxins were found in North, Central and South America, South Asia, China and Taiwan.
Key findings from each region:
• In North America, livestock is at high risk of exposure to DON and ZEN, with occurrence rates of 78% and 83%, respectively
• In Central and South America, high risk is associated with FUM, with average contamination levels around 2,000 ppb
• South Asia continues to be highly impacted by Aflatoxins, detected in 85% of samples
• In the China/Taiwan region, FUM was found in 98% of samples, while East Asia recorded a 100% occurrence rate
• In Central Europe, DON shows a high prevalence at 85%. Southern Europefaces challenges with Aflatoxins (54%) and FUM (76%)
The World Mycotoxin Survey represents 10,868 samples collected and analyzed from 81 countries around the world, resulting in 53,382 analyses.
“This year’s findings once again highlight the widespread and persistent nature of mycotoxin contamination in feed ingredients across the globe,” says Ursula Hofstetter, head of Mycotoxin Risk Management at dsm-firmenich. “With risks continuing to pose a threat to animal welfare, productivity and sustainability, proactive risk management and regular monitoring are more important than ever to maintain the profitability of both the feed industry and animal protein production sectors.”
The survey also includes further details on:
• Prevalence levels for each mycotoxin in each region
• Global and local risk levels for each mycotoxin
• Risk levels posed to each species
• Comparison of prevalence levels from January to June 2024
• More information about Spectrum 380®, the most powerful mycotoxin detection method used as a research tool
• Overview on the occurrence of the most frequent mycotoxins, their masked and modified forms as well as emerging mycotoxins
