2010, Volume XIII, Issue 1NEWS FROM INTERNATIONAL AGENCIESThe EU Seventh Framework Program (FP7) MycoRed project Novel Integrated Strategies for Worldwide Mycotoxin Reduction in the Food and Feed Chains was launched in April 2009. Participants in this four-year collaborative effort will strive to develop new strategies for controlling the spread of major mycotoxins of concern in economically significant food and feed chains. MycoRed is coordinated by the Institute of Sciences of Food Products of the Italian National Research Council (ISPA-CNR). The project team comprises 25 partners from Italy, the UK, Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, France, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Nigeria, Mexico, Argentina, and South Africa. Five of MycoRed’s work packages center on the development of mycotoxin control strategies at successive levels of the food and feed chain:
Project researchers will also develop the innovative, robust, and affordable tools needed to advance the project’s immediate and long-term goals. These technologies will include molecular methods of detecting and identifying toxigenic fungi and monitoring mycotoxin biosynthesis in specific agricultural commodities and advanced rapid tests for detecting and analyzing multiple co-occurring mycotoxins and relevant biomarkers. To foster participation in and cooperation with its efforts in Europe and around the globe, MycoRed will also focus on sharing information and educating stakeholders about best practices and new technological solutions. MycoRed will build on the progress achieved by other EU mycotoxin control projects and benefit from the experience and resources that their participants contribute to MycoRed’s efforts. Strong alliances with partner countries, leading scientists from around the globe, and the International Wheat and Maize Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IIITA) will also play an essential role in furthering MycoRed’s goals. Results of the project will be reported periodically on the project
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