5 Early Warning Signs of Mycotoxins That Could Be Affecting Your Production (and How to Detect Them)
September 25, 2025
Why Mycotoxins Represent a Silent Threat in Latin America?
Mycotoxins are invisible contaminants that compromise the safety of food and feed across the region. In Latin America, where crops such as maize, wheat, and coffee sustain entire production chains, the risk is particularly high. The region’s warm and humid climate creates ideal conditions for mycotoxin-producing fungi, which increases human exposure. 1. A 2024 study reported that different mycotoxins produced by toxigenic fungi were detected in several staple products, many of which hold great economic importance for the region. 2 Moreover, these toxins can cause harmful effects even at very low concentrations, 3 meaning that the absence of visible signs does not guarantee safety. For this reason, proactive prevention is essential: timely detection safeguards operational continuity, reduces economic losses, and preserves both customer and consumer trust.
The 5 Early Warning Signs for Mycotoxins
| Warning Sign | What to Look For | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Visible mold | - Spots, discoloration, filaments, or fungal colonies - Brittle or sticky texture - Musty or fermented odors | Inadequate moisture and ventilation conditions Risk of mycotoxin production even if mold is not visible |
| 2. Drop in yield | - Unexpected reductions in production - Variability in milling, extrusion, or fermentation | Mycotoxins affect functional properties and industrial performance |
| 3. Organoleptic changes | - Rancid, bitter, or fermentative odors - Customer rejections due to color, odor, or texture | Alterations indicate degradation or defect Warrant immediate investigation |
| 4. Analytical control failures | Variable results, sporadic detections, low recovery in assays | Analytical variability may indicate inadequate sampling or matrix interferences that hinder detection |
| 5. Routine monitoring signals | - Regular monitoring of humidity, temperature, ventilation - Routine visual inspections | No critical indications, but allows detection of conditions favoring fungal growth |
Color Key Alerts:
R = Critical signs that require immediate action
Y = Risk signs that require monitoring and preventive action
G = Routine monitoring signs, not critical but useful for preventive control.
Recommended Detection Solutions – Professional and Practical Approach
• Representative Sampling
The main source of error is sampling; design a batch and critical point sampling plan to ensure detection of visible mold, drops in yield, organoleptic changes, and analytical control anomalies. Separate and sample affected fractions; measure moisture and temperature to identify high-risk areas.
• Rapid Screening
Lateral flow tests and immunoassays (ELISA, lateral flow kits) provide fast in-plant detection of potential mycotoxin contamination or quality deviations in production, milling, extrusion, or fermentation.
• Confirmation
Apply confirmatory methods such as HPLC or LC-MS/MS when precise quantification is needed to validate observed organoleptic changes or analytical control failures.
• Continuous Monitoring
Establish action thresholds and sampling frequencies based on risk; monitor humidity, temperature, ventilation, and production parameters to detect conditions favoring fungal growth.
• Data-Driven Oversight
Maintain accurate records of storage conditions by consistently monitoring data such as variability, trends, and key parameters. Reliable documentation ensures early detection of irregularities and provides the insight needed to safeguard process integrity.
• Agreements & Validation
Maintain agreements with confirmatory laboratories, validate methods, and implement rejection thresholds and mitigation protocols to address all detected issues.
Recommended Strategy:
In-plant screening → Confirmatory testing in accredited laboratory → Corrective action→ Registration in official records.
Best Prevention Practices
Ensuring the safety and quality of food and feed requires proactive measures. The following checklist highlights practical steps to prevent mycotoxin contamination, maintain operational efficiency, and protect both products and consumers.
Key Resources to Prevent and Control Mycotoxins
Neogen — your trusted ally in mycotoxin solutions — offers resources and tools to support quality managers and technical teams in effective prevention and control of mycotoxin contamination.
Conclusion
Early detection of mycotoxins is key to protecting health, avoiding economic losses, and safeguarding your company’s reputation. For quality managers in Latin America, the most effective strategy combines representative sampling, rapid screening, and laboratory confirmation.
At Neogen, we are more than just a provider — we are your trusted ally in mycotoxin solutions. You can always rely on us to be part of your process, whether by downloading our Mycotoxin Handbook, or connecting directly with one of our experts.
With Neogen by your side, you’ll always have a reliable partner to ensure confidence and control.
References
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). (2024). Mycotoxin exposure and human cancer risk: A systematic review of epidemiological studies. Recuperado de https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/mycotoxin-exposure-and-human-cancer-risk-a-systematic-review-of-epidemiological-studies/
Foerster, C. (2024). A mini review of mycotoxin's occurrence in food in South America. Frontiers in Chemical Biology. Recuperado de https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemical-biology/articles/10.3389/fchbi.2024.1400481/full
Penn State Extension. (2023, octubre 4). What are mycotoxins? Recuperado de https://extension.psu.edu/what-are-mycotoxins/