Mycotoxin Contamination Concerns of Herbs and Medicinal Plants
Iwona Ałtyn, Magdalena Twarużek
Abstract
Plants and medicinal herbs that are available on the market do not always meet quality and safety standards. One particular concern is the risk of contamination with mycotoxins. Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A are the most frequently described mycotoxins in herbal products and have repeatedly been reported to occur at concentrations which exceed regulatory levels set by the European Union (EU). Possible solutions include enforcing existing limits, and for the new materials, establishing tighter limits and mandate the growth of medicinal plants in EU member countries under more strict conditions.
Topics & Concepts
MycotoxinEuropean unionAflatoxinOchratoxin AContaminationBusinessOchratoxinsMedicinal herbsMandateBiotechnologyToxicologyBiologyTraditional medicineInternational tradeMedicinePolitical scienceLawEcologyMycotoxins in Agriculture and FoodBotanical Research and ChemistryWheat and Barley Genetics and Pathology