Mycotoxins are considered to be among the most significant food contaminants with regard to their negative impact on public health, food security and the national economy of many countries, particularly the developing ones. They affect a wide range of agricultural products, including cereals, dried fruits, nuts, coffee beans and oilseeds, which are the backbone of most developing economies. These major crops are highly susceptible to fungal contamination and mycotoxin production. Mycotoxin contamination of susceptible commodities occurs as a result of environmental
conditions in the field as well as improper harvesting, storage and processing operations.
The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system has been increasingly and successfully applied by the food industry and by official food control authorities to prevent and control risks associated with potential contamination of food products with pathogenic micro-organisms and chemical toxicants. Food safety programmes routinely use information about the factors leading to contamination to establish preventive and control procedures, thus providing the consumer with a safe, wholesome food supply.
This Manual was prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA) through their joint FAO/IAEA Training and Reference Centre for Food and Pesticide Control. Its main aim is to provide guidance to those countries/institutions wishing to apply the
HACCP approach to mycotoxin prevention and control.