Toxic fungus found on brewing barley
By: JimOldfield
August 14th, 2012
Alternaria fungi have been found in a wide variety of crops including malting barley, Campden BRI’s brewing division is warning.
Some species can produce toxins and the European Food Safety Authority has undertaken a survey.
It has reported the presence of these toxins in alcoholic beverages – as well as fruit, vegetable juices, grain-based products, legumes, nuts and seeds, says Camden.
There are some 299 species of the fungus in total, and they grow in colonies which are black, green or grey.
On plants they are capable of producing toxic compounds, and their presence can also cause hay fever and lead to asthma in humans.
