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          Human Nutrition and Food Safety
          Natural Toxins in FoodNatural Toxins in Food

  Several species of naturally-occurring toxins are produced by molds and fungi that grow on food.
On this page, find links to articles, research projects, USDA presentations, and external resources containing information about natural toxins.
  Featured Resources
    
    Books and Materials on Aflatoxins in the NAL Catalog
    
    National Agricultural Library's (NAL) searchable database for journal citations available to persons interested in information on Aflatoxins.

    Search NAL Catalog
      
              Research Projects: Natural Toxins
    
    The Food Safety Research Projects Database (RPD) contains information about research projects related to the study of natural toxins.

    Browse Latest Projects
      
              Research Publications (Food Safety): Natural Toxins
    
    Research publications on natural toxins from peer-reviewed journals.

    Find Current Articles


  Meet the Experts
        
                  USDA-ARS Scientists Present Overviews of their Research
    
    **Innovative materials for use in Mycotoxin detection**(Introductory Video)
Investigator: Chris Maragos, Ph.D
Date: 2019
View full-length video of Dr. Chris Maragos discussing innovative materials for use in Mycotoxin detection [youtube.com]


  Natural Toxins Presentations
        
                  Selected Presentations by USDA Scientists at ARS-FSIS Annual Meetings
    
    **ARS-FSIS 2019 Food Safety Meeting**
Molecular and Environmental Factors Controlling Aflatoxin Reduction by Non-Toxigenic Aspergillus Strains [PDF, 62 pages]. Geromy Moore
Use of Classical and Molecular Technologies for Developing Aflatoxin Resistance in Crops [PDF, 41 pages]. Kanniah Rajasekaran, J Cary, M Gilbert, Burger, Yao, Hruska, R Majumdar**ARS-FSIS 2017 Food Safety Meeting**
Comparative Genomic Analyses of Mycotoxin Production in Fusarium [PDF, 28 pages]. Robert Proctor
Assessing the Influence of Environmental Factors on the Development and Pathogenicity of Aspergillus flavus [PDF, 34 pages]. Matthew Gilbert
Aflatoxin Resistance in Food and Feed Crop Plants – Progress and Prospects in Classical and Molecular Approaches [PDF, 48 pages]. Kanniah Rajasekaran
Regulation of Secondary Metabolism and Development in Aspergillus flavus: From Genes to Metabolites [PDF, 27 pages]. Jeffrey W. Cary


  Resources by Type of Natural Toxins
        
                  Fact sheets and lists from federal and state governments, and cooperative extension programs.
    
    AflatoxinsA family of toxins produced by fungi that flourish in improperly stored or processed food products.
Aflatoxin [medlineplus.gov]
Aflatoxins: Occurrence and Health Risks [cornell.edu]
Prevention of Aflatoxin in Pistacios [fao.org]
Aflatoxins in Corn [extension.missouri.edu]
Bad Bug Book: Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook Aflatoxins [fda.gov] [PDF, 2.67 MB]CiguatoxinsSpoiled or mishandledseafood eaten by humans which occur from fish that consume dinoflagellates or other toxic elements.
Bad Bug Book: Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook Ciguatera [fda.gov] [PDF, 5.01 MB]
Ciguatera [clemson.edu]
Fish Poisoning in Travelers: Ciguatera and Scombroid [cdc.gov]
Ciguatera [ifas.ufl.edu] [PDF, 277 KB]
Ciguatera [calpoison.org]MycotoxinsNaturally occurring toxins produced by fungi that are found in food.
Molds On Food: Are They Dangerous? [fsis.usda.gov]
Mycotoxins Factsheet: 4th edition [europa.eu]
International Society for Mycotoxicology [mycotox-society.org]
Mycotoxins in the Grain Market [extension.iastate.edu]PatulinA mold that grows on produce, especially apples.
CPG Sec 510.150 Apple Juice, Apple Juice Concentrates, and Apple Juice Products - Adulteration with Patulin [fda.gov]
Patulin in Fruit - Safe Food Alliance [safefoodalliance.com]
Patulin in Apple Juice-What You Need to Know [apal.org.eu]ScombrotoxinsA natural toxin produced from spoiled or mishandled seafood.
Bad Bug Book: Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook Scombrotoxin [fda.gov] [PDF, 5.01 MB]
Food Safety Facts on Scombroid Poisoning [canada.ca]
Scombroid (Histamine) Formation [fda.gov] [PDF, 2.09 MB]
Fish Poisoning in Travelers: Ciguatera and Scombroid [cdc.gov]Page Content Curated By
    

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