Toxins also produced by the Fusarium molds include zearalenone and T-2 toxin. Vomitoxin and zearalenone may occur together, especially in scabby wheat and in giberella ear rot of corn. Fusarial toxins have been detected in corn, wheat, bran, rice, cottonseed, midds, milo, flour, barley, malt, beer and other foods. Species affected by these toxins include humans, cattle, swine, chickens, pheasant, turkeys, duckling, quail, dogs, sheep, cats, monkeys, fish and laboratory animals. FDA evidence indicates a link of acute gastrointestinal illness in humans with the ingestion of vomitoxin.
Pigs are extremely sensitive to vomitoxin.
Levels as low as 0.5 ppm has been reported to cause palatability problems in swine rations, resulting in economic losses. Actual problem levels of vomitoxin vary from animal to animal. The age and overall health of the animal have an affect on how an animal may respond to the ingestion of vomitoxin. Affected animals may rebound when the contaminated feed has been removed. FDA has established advisory levels for vomitoxin.