Assessment of information as regards the toxicity of deoxynivalenol for horses and poultry.
Abstract: In 2017, the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) adopted a Scientific Opinion on the risks for animal health related to the presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) and its acetylated and modified forms in food and feed. No observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) and lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) were derived for different animal species. For horses, an NOAEL of 36 mg DON/kg feed was established, the highest concentration tested and not showing adverse effects. For poultry, an NOAEL of 5 mg DON/kg feed for broiler chickens and laying hens, and an NOAEL of 7 mg DON/kg feed for ducks and turkeys was derived. The European Commission requested EFSA to review the information regarding the toxicity of DON for horses and poultry and to revise, if necessary, the established reference points (RPs). Adverse effect levels of 1.9 and 1.7 mg DON/kg feed for, respectively, broiler chickens and turkeys were derived from reassessment of existing studies and newly available literature, showing that DON causes effects on the intestines, in particular the jejunum, with a decreased villus height but also histological damage. An RP for adverse animal health effects of 0.6 mg/kg feed for broiler chickens and turkeys, respectively, was established. For horses, an adverse effect level of 5.6 mg DON/kg feed was established from studies showing reduced feed intake, with an RP for adverse animal health effects of 3.5 mg/kg feed. For ducks and laying hens, RPs remain unchanged. Based on mean and P95 (UB) exposure estimates performed in the previous Opinion, the risk of adverse health effects of feeds containing DON was considered a potential concern for broiler chickens and turkeys. For horses, the risk for adverse health effects from feed containing DON is low.
© 2023 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KgaA on behalf of the European Food Safety Authority.
Publication Date: 2023-02-02 PubMed ID: 36751491PubMed Central: PMC9892893DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7806Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research discussed the toxicity levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) in feed for horses and poultry. Specifically noting adverse health effects in broiler chickens, turkeys, and horses, while reporting low risk for ducks, laying hens, and horses.
Background Information
- This study is built upon the 2017 research by the EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) regarding the risks of deoxynivalenol (DON) in animal feed.
- DON is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi and can affect grain crops, exposing animals to potential toxic effects through consuming contaminated feed.
- In this research, no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) and lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) are defined for DON exposure in various animal species.
- The European Commission requested this review to revise reference points (RPs) for toxicity, if required, for these animals after consuming DON-contaminated feed.
New Findings and Revised Reference Points
- Existing and newly available literature were reassessed to redefine adverse effects on poultry, specifically broiler chickens and turkeys, where DON caused intestinal damage.
- Recommended safe levels of DON in feed were changed to 1.9 mg/kg for broiler chickens and 1.7 mg/kg for turkeys, specifically affecting the jejunum part of their intestines.
- Reference Points (RPs), or updated safety thresholds, for DON in feed were reassessed to be 0.6 mg/kg for broiler chickens and turkeys to prevent adverse health effects.
- For horses, new research showed that DON concentrations leading to reduced feed intake required a revised adverse effects level of 5.6 mg/kg in feed. The RP for this species was adjusted to 3.5 mg/kg feed to prevent negative health outcomes.
- For ducks and laying hens, RPs remain unchanged from the previous research by EFSA.
Risk Assessment Conclusion
- Mean and P95 (UB) exposure estimates from the previous opinion were utilized to assess the risk of adverse health effects from DON-contaminated feed.
- The results indicated a potential concern for broiler chickens and turkeys for developing adverse health effects as a result of DON exposure.
- On the contrary, for horses, the risk for developing adverse health effects from DON contamination in feed is considered low.
Cite This Article
APA
Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Del Mazo JKCJ, Grasl-Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Leblanc JC, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Schwerdtle T, Vleminckx C, Wallace H, Dänicke S, Nebbia CS, Oswald IP, Rovesti E, Steinkellner H, Hoogenboom LR.
(2023).
Assessment of information as regards the toxicity of deoxynivalenol for horses and poultry.
EFSA J, 21(2), e07806.
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7806 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
References
This article includes 64 references
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Kleber A, Gruber-Dorninger C, Platzer A, Payet C, Novak B. Effect of Fungicide Treatment on Multi-Mycotoxin Occurrence in French Wheat during a 4-Year Period.. Toxins (Basel) 2023 Jul 4;15(7).
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