For definition of Groups, see Preamble Evaluation. The mycotoxins considered are produced by Fusarium species that occur primarily on wheat, barley and maize. The toxins occur whenever these cereals are grown under humid conditions.
Exposure occurs through dietary consumption of contaminated cereals.
Deoxynivalenol has been held responsible for large-scale human poisonings this century in China and India. A few ecological studies that considered F. graminearum suggested no correlation with the incidence of oesophageal cancer. 5.3 Animal carcinogenicity data Zearalenone was tested for carcinogenicity by administration in the diet in one experiment in mice and in two experiments in rats. An increased incidence of hepatocellular adenomas was observed in female mice and of pituitary adenomas in mice each sex. No increase in the incidence of tumours was observed in rats.