## 1 Introduction  
There has been increasing evidence shown for the negative environmental effects and human health risks associated with the typical western diet rich in animal products through an increase in diet-related, non-communicable chronic diseases [1, 2]. Livestock agriculture is the world's largest user of land resources, with the pasture and arable land dedicated to the production of feed representing almost 80% of the total agricultural land [3]. One-third of global arable land is used to grow feed, while 26% of the Earth's ice-free terrestrial surface is used for grazing [3]. Given that the global population is expected to increase to nine billion by 2050 [4], more sustainable solutions must be promoted to fulfil the growing demand for food production. There is an increasing consensus that a transition towards a more plant-based diet together with a decreased consumption of meat and other animal-based products would improve the sustainability of food systems through the decreased use of diminishing natural resources [5, 6]. However, due to climate change, the increase in plant diseases associated to toxigenic fungal species and their secondary metabolites, mycotoxins, havebecome a food safety issue of major importance. Therefore, in line with the new diet trends, a risk assessment of exposure to mycotoxin may need re-evaluation if lower mycotoxin levels than the allowed maximum cannot be managed in plant-based products [7]. About 300-400 mycotoxins are known today, and they cause huge economic losses and induce health risks by contaminating agricultural commodities [8]. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that 25% of global food crops are contaminated with mycotoxins (reviewed in [9]). Of the members of the mycotoxin group, aflat (AFs) present a major food and feed safety issue. AFs are produced by several fungal species belonging to the genus _Aspergillus_; the two species of major risk are _Aspergillus flavus_ and _Aspergillus paraciticus_[10]. AFs are toxic and potentially carcinogenic metabolites, including the structural analogues AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IACR) has classified AFB1 as a Group I carcinogen, indicating carcinogenicity to humans [11]. Due to the imminent health risks, EU has set maximum levels for AFs in different foodstuffs such as baby food, different nuts and almonds, dried fruits and figs, cereal products and spices [12]. There are separate maximum levels for AFB1 and for the sum of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 (AF sum). The lowest level of 0.1 \(\upmu\)g/kg has been set for AFB1 in cereal-based baby food. The maximum level for AFB1 in cereal products is 2.0 \(\upmu\)g/kg, and that for the sum of AFs is 4.0 \(\upmu\)g/kg. The maximum level for AFB1 in maize products is 5.0 \(\upmu\)g/kg, and that for the sum of AFs is 10.0 \(\upmu\)g/kg. The best instrument for the quantification of AFs and other mycotoxins in cereal-based and other foods is liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) utilizing the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) technique when the lower limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) is needed such as in the infant food case [13]. This technique is the most reliable method when monitoring either nationally or EU-regulated mycotoxins in challenging matrixes such as nut-based products [14]. AFs are commonly found in cereal crops such as maize, but they can contaminate a wide variety of staple foods [15; 16]. Even though tropical and subtropical areas are susceptible to severe AF outbreaks, some temperate regions such as the United States Midwest are also subject to AF contamination [17]. Yet, already in 2007, a survey conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicated an emerging issue of potential aflatoxin contamination in southern Europe due to climate change [18].