FAO Sets Five Priorities for Mycotoxin Control Across Near East and North Africa

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has published a regional technical assessment examining mycotoxin contamination risks in food systems across the Near East and North Africa (NENA). Titled “Mycotoxins in food systems in the Near East and North Africa: Regional assessment of prevalence, regulations and priority actions,” the 2026 report reviews occurrence data, regulatory frameworks, laboratory capacities and surveillance systems, while proposing priority actions to improve food safety, public health and trade (openknowledge.fao.org).

According to the assessment, the mycotoxins most frequently reported in the region are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. These toxins, produced by fungi, appear mainly in cereals, nuts, spices, dried fruits, dairy products, animal feed and processed foods commonly consumed or traded in NENA countries (openknowledge.fao.org). Contamination levels vary by country and commodity, influenced by climatic conditions, post-harvest storage practices, import dependence and the strength of national control systems.

The report notes that climate change—through shifts in temperature, rainfall and humidity—can favor fungal growth and mycotoxin production, particularly in cereal-producing areas. It also highlights limited data on emerging mycotoxins such as enniatins and beauvericin, which remain largely unregulated (cibum.gr).

Several NENA countries have established maximum limits and monitoring systems, yet implementation, laboratory infrastructure and enforcement differ widely. Discrepancies between national limits and Codex Alimentarius standards can lead to trade disruptions, including border rejections of shipments. Uneven laboratory capacity further constrains reliable detection and risk assessment (openknowledge.fao.org).

Building on FAO strategic priorities and Codex principles, the report identifies five priorities for strengthening mycotoxin control. First is enhancing national food control systems to improve prevention, detection and management of contamination. Second is upgrading laboratories and establishing regional proficiency testing schemes to ensure analyses are reliable and comparable. Third is collecting more occurrence data and conducting risk assessments for both regulated and emerging mycotoxins. Fourth is harmonizing regulatory approaches with international food safety standards. Fifth is integrating mycotoxin management into broader food safety strategies and climate change adaptation efforts (cibum.gr).

Additional recommended actions include risk-based surveillance, data-sharing and early warning systems, promotion of good agricultural and storage practices, and regional cooperation plus technical capacity development (openknowledge.fao.org).

Key findings from the assessment were presented at a regional side event during the 19th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF19) in Cairo in October 2026. The event, organized by FAO’s Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa, connected regional evidence with global Codex processes, emphasizing the need for quality-assured occurrence data to support scientific advice and risk-based management (fao.org).

FAO has reaffirmed its support to member countries through strengthened plant protection and integrated pest management programmes, assistance in adopting Codex mycotoxin limits, early warning systems, laboratory capacity building, and training for farmers, extension services and food safety personnel. The organization underscores that healthy plants form the foundation of food security and safety, linking mycotoxin reduction to the One Health approach that connects plant, animal and human health.

The assessment is intended for policymakers, competent authorities, laboratories, researchers, development partners and industry stakeholders seeking to reduce the public health and economic burdens of mycotoxins in the NENA region.