At the beginning of the new century, the number of incidents of food-related illness is increasing again after a long period of decline. There are many reasons for this, but an important factor is the considerable degree of integration of the food system. Less than one generation ago, communities would have been mainly served by regional or even local food production. The centralization of food production systems results in larger niches for infectious agents. Although it may come as some surprise, countries such as Canada, the USA and Sweden place mycotoxins at the top of the second list.
Mycotoxins are compounds produced by fungi that are harmful to human and animal health.
Mycotoxins have affected human populations since the beginning of organized crop production. Ergotism is discussed in the Old Testament of the Bible. Some claim that the ancient Chinese used ergot for obstetrical purposes 5,000 years ago. The screams of the victims, the stench of rotting flesh, extremities falling off and death all feature in the descriptions of the disease. Large-scale mortalities persisted into the 18th century, when governments and the church promoted methods for the removal of sclerotia.