Abstract
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by microscopic fungi. Exposure to mycotoxins can produce illness or death in humans and many animal species. These diseases are collectively called ‘mycotoxicoses.’ In contrast, ‘mycoses’ are the diseases caused by fungi growing directly on susceptible hosts. Foods and feeds throughout the world are subject to mycotoxin contamination posing a major threat to human and animal health. There is increasing concern that dermal and respiratory exposure to mycotoxins is also a health risk. “Omics” technologies promise new avenues for learning more about mycotoxin production and prevention.