ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Mycotoxins produced by toxigenic fungi remain a major challenge in poultry production and global food safety. Contamination of poultry feed with aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, T-2 toxin, zearalenone, and other emerging mycotoxins is frequently reported worldwide, particularly under intensive production systems and changing climatic conditions. This review summarizes current evidence published between 2020 and 2025 on the occurrence, ecological drivers, toxicological effects, environmental and occupational exposure, food safety risks, analytical detection methods, and mitigation strategies of mycotoxins in poultry production within a One Health framework. Recent studies indicate that multi-mycotoxin contamination is common in poultry feeds, and emerging and masked mycotoxins may remain undetected by routine analytical approaches, thereby increasing the risk of underestimating exposure. Mycotoxins adversely affect poultry health through hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, intestinal barrier disruption, microbiome dysbiosis, impaired reproductive performance, and reduced productivity. In addition, residues of several mycotoxins have been detected in meat and eggs, raising concerns regarding consumer safety. Airborne fungal spores and contaminated dust in poultry houses also represent important occupational hazards for poultry workers. Advances in analytical technologies, particularly Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry, biosensors, molecular diagnostics, and multiplex detection systems, have improved the sensitivity and reliability of mycotoxin monitoring. Various mitigation approaches, including feed hygiene management, adsorbents, probiotics, biological detoxification, and enzymatic degradation, have shown potential to reduce contamination and minimize toxic effects. However, the complete elimination of mycotoxins remains difficult due to the complexity of fungal ecology and the widespread occurrence of co-contamination. Overall, this review highlights the importance of integrated surveillance, improved feed management, advanced detection systems, and coordinated mitigation strategies within a One Health approach to reduce the impact of mycotoxins on poultry health, environmental safety, occupational exposure, and food security. 

Keywords: aflatoxins, climate change, food safety, masked mycotoxins, multi-mycotoxin contamination, occupational exposure, One Health, poultry production.