Dietary intake of some important mycotoxins by the Swedish population

To estimate the intake of some mycotoxins from food in Sweden, approximatel y 600 samples were collected and analysed for aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, pat ulin and trichothecenes. Intakes were calculated for average and high consu mers among adults and children and compared with the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of the respective toxin. Mycotoxin levels in the food samples were g enerally below the European/national maximum limits. However, high levels o f aflatoxins were found in some samples of Brazil nuts and pistachios. The intake of ochratoxin A, patulin and trichothecenes was found to be below th e temporary TDI values (tTDI) proposed for these toxins by international ex pert groups, although the intake of trichothecenes (expressed as T-2 toxin equivalents) in children with a high consumption of cereals was close to th e tTDI for T-2 toxin. Since there is to date no established numerical tTDI for aflatoxins, such a value was estimated for use within the project. The calculated intake of aflatoxins in high consumers exceeded this 'tTDI' by a factor of two. In conclusion, the exposure to mycotoxins in Sweden did not generally give rise to any major health concerns in the present study. How ever, the high levels of aflatoxins in certain commodities emphasize the ne ed for preventive measures and improved control of toxin levels in these fo od items. Furthermore, the need for regulatory levels for trichothecenes in cereal products should be evaluated.