Alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether

Alternaria toxins are naturally present in food and animal feed contaminated with Alternaria species. More than 70 toxins and derivatives causing toxicity in humans, animals and plants have been described. Alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and tenuazonic acid are the most widely studied Alternaria mycotoxins. Some of these mycotoxins are carcinogenic, toxic and mutagenic, which is why the European Commission has set indicative levels for these emerging mycotoxins. The indicative levels are not food safety levels. Investigations should be performed, on the factors leading to the presence of Alternaria toxins or on the effect of food processing.