Mycotoxins continue to threaten animal feed safety and food production globally, according to the latest quarterly report from dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health. The company’s World Mycotoxin Survey for January to March 2025 analysed nearly 6,000 samples from 70 countries, identifying China and South Asia as the highest-risk regions.
Fumonisins were the most frequently detected mycotoxins, found in 99% of samples. Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone followed at 87% and 67%, respectively. More than three-quarters of samples showed contamination by more than one mycotoxin, and advanced analysis revealed the presence of up to 40 types per sample.
Ursula Hofstetter, Head of Mycotoxin Risk Management at dsm-firmenich, said mycotoxins remain a significant and evolving concern for animal health, feed safety, and food security. “With changing climate and agricultural practices, understanding global trends is key,” she stated.
The report includes data on regional and global risk levels, prevalence by species, and a comparison with data from the same period in 2024. It also incorporates findings from two analytical tools, Spectrum Top®50 and Spectrum 380®, which detect a wide range of mycotoxins with high precision.
Running since 2004, the dsm-firmenich Mycotoxin Survey is considered one of the most extensive ongoing studies of mycotoxin presence in animal feed. The data, largely collected through partnerships with global clients, supports risk management strategies across the livestock industry.
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi that can contaminate crops in the field and during storage. When consumed by animals, they can impair reproduction, hinder digestion, reduce performance, and cause other health problems.
The full Q1 2025 report is available for download through dsm-firmenich’s website.
