[Survey on deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and HT-2/T-2 contamination of cereals and products derived from cereals].

Since February 2004 in Germany maximum limits forFusarium toxins do exist, while harmonised legislation within the EU was recently published and will come into force in July 2006. Meanwhile, the problematic nature ofFusarium mycotoxins is perceived by all participants of the processing chain of cereals. In this study the presence of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in comparison to the rarely investigated type A-trichothecenes (HT-2, T-2 toxin) in different cereal-products is discussed. About 1000 cereal-based samples have been analysed using a recently developed multitoxin method based on HPLC-MS/MS technique. Despite, up to now no concrete limit for HT-2/T-2 toxin is discussed, the degree of contamination is of special concern for food products dedicated to be placed on the market, to avoid possible risks for consumers. The used method proved to be extremely sensitive for T-2 toxin with a LOD below 1 μg/kg, therefore a comprehensive data set was achieved.