Occurrence, surveillance, and control of mycotoxins in food in Cyprus for the years 2004–2013

Approximately a total of 4500 samples were analyzed for several mycotoxins for the period 2004–2013. The mycotoxins were determined by liquid–solid extraction, immunoaffinity column clean-up, and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence or photo diode array detection. The data have shown that 93 out of 362 nut samples and 34 out of 167 other foodstuffs have been found contaminated with Aflatoxins (AFs). AFB1 was the most prevalent toxin, with high incidence especially in peanuts and pistachio. Most of the samples with AFs above the levels of the EU legislation were imported (27%) and were prevented entering the Cyprus and EU market. The AFM1 levels in milk were below the limit 0.05 μg l−1. Dried fruits, especially raisins, coffee, wheat, and spices, were found to be the most contaminated with Ochratoxin A, while pasta and wheat presented higher incidence of deoxynivalenol. Only 4 out of 60 samples analyzed for zearalenone were found positive but at very low concentrations.