Mycotoxins and the pet food industry: Toxicological evidence and risk assessment

Herman J. Boermans, Maxwell C.K. Leung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

95 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mycotoxin contamination in pet food poses a serious health threat to pets, causing an emotional and economical concern to the pet owners. Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins and fusaric acid have been found in the ingredients and final products of pet food, resulting in both acute toxicity and chronic health problems in pets. Toxicological interaction among mycotoxins as a natural mixture further complicates the issue. The concepts of "risk assessment", using hazard identification, dose-response assessment, no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL), and lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL), should be applied to assess the risk and safety of mycotoxins in pet food, thereby instilling public confidence in the pet food industry.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)95-102
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Food Microbiology
Volume119
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 20 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Mycotoxin
  • Pet food
  • Risk assessment and safety
  • Toxicology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Microbiology

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