# Mycotoxins Occurrence in Herbs, Spices, Dietary Supplements, and Their Exposure Assessment

## TL;DR

This review examines mycotoxin contamination in herbs, spices, and dietary supplements, highlighting risks from combined toxin exposure and the need for better monitoring.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of mycotoxin occurrence and exposure in plant-based food products, emphasizing co-contamination and regulatory gaps.

## Key findings

- Spices like chili and pepper show higher mycotoxin contamination than dried herbs.
- Multi-mycotoxin exposure is common in dietary supplements with plant extracts.
- Regulatory limits for mycotoxins are inconsistent and incomplete.

## Abstract

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced mainly by filamentous fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium and pose a significant food safety concern. This review summarizes current literature on the occurrence of major regulated and emerging mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, and selected Fusarium and Alternaria metabolites, in herbs, spices, and plant-based dietary supplements. Available data indicate that spices—particularly chilli, paprika, ginger, and various types of pepper—represent high-risk commodities and are often more heavily contaminated than dried herbs. Although reported concentrations of individual mycotoxins are frequently low to moderate, numerous studies highlight the common co-occurrence of multiple toxins within a single product, raising concerns regarding cumulative and combined toxic effects. Dietary supplements, especially those containing concentrated plant extracts such as green tea or green coffee, are also identified as potential sources of multi-mycotoxin exposure. The review outlines key analytical approaches for mycotoxin determination, emphasizing the critical role of sample preparation for chromatographic analysis in complex plant matrices. Despite increasing evidence of contamination, important knowledge gaps persist regarding emerging mycotoxins, underrepresented botanical matrices, and long-term exposure assessment, while regulatory limits remain incomplete or inconsistent. Continued monitoring and harmonized analytical and risk assessment strategies are, therefore, essential to ensure consumer safety.