The Growing Problem of Mycotoxins: What It Means for Livestock and Humans

Climate change is not just about warmer summers and melting glaciers; it’s also making it easier for harmful substances called mycotoxins to contaminate our food supply. These toxins are produced by certain types of mold that grow on crops like wheat, corn, and barley. Their effects aren’t just bad for plants—they can seriously harm animals and humans too. Here’s why this matters and what we can do about it.

What Are Mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are poisons made by mold that can grow on crops during farming or storage, especially in hot and humid weather. Common ones include:

• Aflatoxins (linked to liver problems)
• Trichothecenes (can cause stomach upset and weaken immunity)
• Fumonisins and Zearalenone (can affect health in different ways).

How Mycotoxins Affect Animals

1. Health Problems: Animals eating contaminated feed may eat less, get sick more often, and even have problems reproducing. In dairy cows, aflatoxins can pass from feed into the milk, which humans then consume.
2. Economic Losses: Farmers lose money because sick animals eat less, grow slower, and require more veterinary care. Some products may also be rejected for sale if they don’t meet safety standards.

How Mycotoxins Affect Humans

1. Through the Food We Eat: Humans can consume mycotoxins directly by eating contaminated crops or indirectly through animal products like milk or eggs. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins, for example, is linked to liver cancer.
2. Food Safety Issues: In regions where crops like corn and wheat are staples, mycotoxin contamination can cause serious health problems, especially when food safety measures aren’t strong.

How Climate Change Makes Things Worse

Climate change is creating perfect conditions for mold to thrive. Warmer temperatures, unexpected heavy rains, and longer dry periods mean:

• Mold grows faster on crops.
• Crops can’t dry properly before being stored, increasing the risk of contamination.

For example, European farmers have noticed more mycotoxins in their wheat and corn during extreme weather years. Recent tests show high levels of toxins like aflatoxins in southern Europe, particularly after droughts.

What Can We Do to Reduce the Risks?

1. Better Farming Methods: Farmers can rotate crops, grow varieties that resist mold, and adjust when they plant and harvest. Drying crops quickly and storing them properly also helps stop mold from spreading.
2. Testing and Rules: Regularly testing crops and animal feed for mycotoxins can prevent contaminated food from reaching markets. Governments can set stricter safety limits to protect consumers.
3. Educating Farmers and Consumers: Everyone in the food chain—from farmers to shoppers—needs to understand the risks of mycotoxins and how to reduce them. For example, consumers can be taught to store food in cool, dry places to avoid mold growth at home.

The Big Picture

The rise of mycotoxins is a hidden challenge of climate change. These harmful toxins affect not just farmers but also the food we all eat. Tackling this issue means combining smarter farming, better testing, and strong regulations. With awareness and action, we can protect livestock and human health while adapting to a changing climate.

This isn’t just a farmer’s problem; it’s everyone’s problem. Together, we can make sure our food stays safe and nutritious.

Sources:

• https://www.alltech.com/en-ie/blog/initial-look-crop-quality-and-mycotoxin-risk-europe
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mold_health_issues
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aflatoxin_M1
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00003-024-01528-2
• https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/climate-change-and-food-safety
• https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-89664-5_14
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00003-024-01528-2