Distribution of mycotoxins during manufacture and storage of cheeses – A review

Abstract

The distribution of mycotoxins during cheese production and storage is a complex process that depends on several factors, including milk quality, cheese type, storage conditions, and the presence of competing microorganisms. This paper investigates the occurrence and distribution of mycotoxins in curd/cheese/whey during different cheese processes and the effect of ripening/storage time on mycotoxin levels in the final product using a review approach. The paper covers the major mycotoxins that can contaminate cheese, including aflatoxins, ochratoxin‐A, roquefortine‐C, mycophenolic acid, and beauvericin. Overall, it synthesises the existing understanding of the spread of mycotoxins during cheese production and storage.