MYCOTOXIN contamination in feedstuffs is becoming an increasing hazard worldwide, according to a new study, but the UK is in a minority of regions seen as lower.
In a survey carried out by Swiss-Dutch company dsm-firmenich, 82% of all feed samples contained more than one mycotoxin, signalling an escalating risk for global feed and food safety, warns the company.
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For its World Mycotoxin Survey, DSM-Firmenich analysed 19,051 samples and conducted 105,079 single analyses across 85+ countries, to understand and monitor contamination levels of the different mycotoxins in a variety of feed ingredients.
Claimed to be the most comprehensive global assessment of mycotoxin prevalence to date, it was carried out from January to September 2025.
Mycotoxins are naturally produced by the fungi that can contaminate feed raw materials in the field and during storage.
Escalation
When ingested by animals, mycotoxins have a wide range of negative effects, such as impaired reproduction, digestive disorders, carcinogenicity, and reduced performance, says DSM-Firmenich.
Ursula Hofstetter, the company’s head of mycotoxin risk management, stated: “The 2025 results reveal a worrying escalation in both mycotoxin prevalence and co-contamination worldwide.”
“With over 80% of samples containing multiple toxins, the risks to animal health, productivity, and welfare are intensifying.
Detection
“These insights reinforce the urgent need for continuous monitoring, advanced detection, and effective mitigation strategies to protect livestock and ensure a safe global food supply chain.”
The report grades different regions of the world according to the perceived risk level, based on the percentage of samples testing positive for at least one mycotoxin above a recommended threshold.
Among the findings, North American livestock faces a severe mycotoxin threat with 84% total risk, says the report.
UK risk
In the UK, the total risk level is put at 25-50%, at the lower end of the range for Western European countries. The same rating applies in Germany, Denmark, and Austria.
Ireland, France, Spain and Italy are among those seen as ‘extreme risk’ (75-100%).
Regional analysis highlighted extreme risk in China+Taiwan (95%) and Southern Asia (94%).
Other high-risk regions included Central America (83%), North Africa (87%) and the Middle East (79%).
Year-on-year
Comparing 2025 data to the same period in 2024 revealed dynamic shifts.
Europe saw Aflatoxin prevalence decrease from 29% to 23%, but Fumonisinincrease from 38% to 51%. Middle East & North Africa experienced a rise in Aflatoxin (33% to 45%) and Zearalenone (58% to 84%).
Asia observed a slight decline in Aflatoxin (73% to 66%) but continued high Fumonisin contamination, underscoring the regional variability and persistent nature of mycotoxin challenges.
