Fusarium estrogenism

Fusarium mycotoxins (fumonisins) frequently contaminate maize and maize-based products at levels of concern for human and animal health. Fumonisins B1 and B2, which are the most abundant in nature worldwide, are hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic to rats and induce leukoencephalomalacia in horses and pulmonary oedema in swine. Their occurrence in home-grown maize has been statistically associated with human oesophageal cancer in some regions of the EU.