Fumonisin Intake from Consumption of Wheat- and Corn-Based Products in Hungary

Fumonisins are mycotoxins commonly found on corn and other grains, and have been linked to several health concerns. The aim of this study is to estimate the exposure of the Hungarian population to fumonisins from regular food consumption. Fumonisin B1 and B2 concentrations were determined in commercially available corn-, wheat- and rice-based foods. Daily intakes on an individual level were calculated deterministically based on recent individual food consumption data distributions, and the average contamination of the concerned food categories. The most significant sources of fumonisins were corn flour, cornmeal, cornflakes, other corn-based products, and wheat-based products (average total fumonisin contents in the middle bound scenario were 0.115, 0.074, 0.052, 0.091 and 0.077 mg/kg, respectively). In cases where the concentration values measured below the analytical determination limits, these were substituted by half of the corresponding limits (middle bound scenario). Mean and high (95th percentile) exposures to fumonisins B1 + B2 were 0.101 and 0.258 µg/bw kg/day for adults, and 0.313 and 0.744 µg/bw kg/day for children, respectively. Our results show that about 1.5% of children's exposure could exceed the tolerable daily intake limit (TDI) of fumonisins, established by EFSA in 2018, meaning that potential health risks cannot be ruled out for a low proportion of consumers. We found that besides corn-based products, wheat-based food products could also contribute to total intake, due to their high consumption levels. Constant monitoring of fumonisin levels in corn- and wheat-based products is recommended to safeguard consumer health.