Simulation of the exposure to deoxynivalenol of French consumers of organic and conventional foodstuffs.

The aim of this study was to estimate the exposure to deoxynivalenol in wheat of consumers of organic and conventional products using a probabilistic method, and to compare these levels with a toxicological reference so as to provide risk managers with scientific data to be used in the regulatory decision-making process. First, a product consumption frequency questionnaire was completed by consumers of organic products, thus providing data on the consumption of organic products. Data on the consumption of conventional products were obtained from the French "INCA" survey. Data on deoxynivalenol levels in wheat came from a previous study. The results of exposure simulations using the Monte-Carlo sampling method showed that 10% of those consuming organic wheat containing deoxynivalenol may be exposed to this natural toxin at levels above the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)