Let’s be honest—Deoxynivalenol (DON), also known as vomitoxin, is not news to food safety professionals. It's been on our radar for years. But here’s the twist: while most of us might think we’ve got a handle on it, recent data suggests it’s making a slow, calculated comeback. The chart doesn't lie—2023–2024 saw a clear surge in incidents globally, with the US, China, and Germany topping the list. Why now? And more importantly, what’s next?
DON is a type B trichothecene mycotoxin produced primarily by Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum. It’s one of the most prevalent mycotoxins found in cereal grains, especially wheat, barley, oats, and corn. Known for its immunotoxic, gastrointestinal, and even reproductive effects, DON is tightly regulated across major markets.
So, no—it’s not just “another mycotoxin.” It’s one of the most persistent and globally relevant ones.
Cereals are DON's favorite playground. It thrives in cool, wet weather conditions during grain flowering, particularly impacting:
Wheat and Barley – especially in North America and Europe
Maize/Corn – increasingly in South America and Asia
Oats and Rye – particularly vulnerable in Eastern European countries
Interestingly, we’re seeing reports even from non-traditional regions, likely due to climate volatility and changes in agricultural practices. As global trade routes shift and blend, contaminated raw materials can silently cross borders and land in supply chains that never anticipated the risk.
We flagged it early. Back in 2022, Digicomply risk modeling had already shown a creeping uptick in DON mentions—subtle, but steady. Fast-forward to 2023–2024, and we’ve got confirmation: incident mentions doubled, with 56 out of 74 categorized as “control” measures—a clear sign of regulatory enforcement tightening.
Let’s unpack that:
The US and China are leading in reported incidents—not necessarily because they have more contamination, but because their surveillance systems are mature and aggressive.
Europe’s numbers, particularly from Germany, reflect a combination of stricter border controls and rising domestic contamination.
The majority of incidents were flagged through routine controls, not recalls or outbreaks. That tells us industry is detecting the problem early—but it also means the volume of contaminated grain is potentially much higher beneath the surface.
This insight has been timely identified and is available to users through the SGS Digicomply Food Safety Intelligence Hub. Feel free to explore the Food Safety Intelligence Hub demo and try this tool in action.
Why the resurgence? It’s never just one factor. Here’s our working hypothesis:
Climate Shifts – Increased rainfall and cooler summers in temperate zones = perfect storm for Fusarium.
Crop Rotation Gaps – Overreliance on corn-wheat cycles fosters fungal buildup in soils.
Global Trade – Ingredients sourced from high-risk zones are entering markets with laxer testing.
Regulatory Blind Spots – Some emerging markets still lack harmonized DON thresholds or enforcement power.
And then there's the unspoken truth: some stakeholders may be operating under outdated risk maps. A region considered “low risk” five years ago might not be anymore.
Deoxynivalenol is not spiking overnight. It’s moving like a slow tide—easy to ignore until it floods the system. And while today’s numbers may not scream “crisis,” the trajectory is unmistakable.
At SGS Digicomply, we believe early detection isn’t just about staying compliant—it’s about staying ahead. Our systems are designed not only to flag incidents but to forecast risk before it becomes a problem.
If you're in QA, regulatory, or risk management, now is the time to ask:
Are our controls based on today’s data—or yesterday’s assumptions?