Mycotoxins and Public Health: An Introduction
Understand toxigenic fungi, the major mycotoxins in food and feed, their health effects, analysis and regulatory control.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Mycotoxins and Public Health: An Introduction
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Medical, Veterinary & One Health Mycology. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Mycotoxins and Public Health: An Introduction explains how certain fungi produce toxic compounds in crops, food and feed, and why these substances matter for human and animal health. Students learn which fungi are toxigenic and what conditions trigger toxin formation, then study the major mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone and patulin. The course follows exposure pathways and health effects before introducing sampling strategies, analytical methods and the regulatory frameworks that set limits and guide risk management.
Climate change and global trade are altering mycotoxin patterns, and food businesses and authorities need staff who understand the whole picture. This course suits food safety, public health and regulatory professionals seeking a solid foundation. The tutor is selected for experience in food safety or food analysis. As a final project, students prepare a mycotoxin risk profile for one commodity, outlining relevant fungi and toxins, exposure routes, applicable limits and practical control points along its supply chain.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in one health, useful in areas such as food and feed industry, food testing laboratories, food safety authorities, agricultural trade.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Understand toxigenic fungi, the major mycotoxins in food and feed, their health effects, analysis and regulatory control.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Toxigenic fungi and mycotoxin formation; Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and fumonisins.
- Put them into practice: Trichothecenes, zearalenone and patulin; Exposure pathways and health effects.
- Apply everything to a real case: Sampling and analytical methods; Regulation and risk management.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Identify the main toxigenic fungi and the conditions favouring toxin production.
- Describe the sources and health effects of the major mycotoxins.
- Explain why representative sampling is critical for mycotoxin analysis.
- Compare screening and confirmatory analytical methods.
- Apply regulatory limits within a basic risk management approach.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Food safety, public health and regulatory professionals.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior mycology knowledge is required; a background in food science, agriculture or public health is helpful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Food safety officer with mycotoxin responsibilities
- Quality assurance technician in food or feed production
- Laboratory analyst in a food testing laboratory
- Regulatory affairs assistant for food and feed
- Grain storage and procurement quality controller
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Toxigenic fungi and mycotoxin formation | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and fumonisins | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Trichothecenes, zearalenone and patulin | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Exposure pathways and health effects | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Sampling and analytical methods | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Regulation and risk management | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Main toxigenic genera
- Environmental triggers for toxin production
- Field and storage fungi
- Aflatoxins and their sources
- Ochratoxin A in food chains
- Fumonisins in maize
- Trichothecenes in cereals
- Zearalenone and hormonal effects
- Patulin in fruit products
- Dietary and occupational exposure
- Acute and chronic effects
- Vulnerable populations
- Why mycotoxins are unevenly distributed
- Rapid screening tests
- Chromatographic confirmation
- Maximum levels and legislation
- Hazard analysis in food businesses
- Communicating risk
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A mycotoxin risk profile for one commodity covering fungi, toxins, exposure, limits and supply chain control points.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Assessment is based on participation in live sessions and applied module exercises using real commodity scenarios. The final risk profile is reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the One Health school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Mycotoxins and Public Health: An Introduction?
No prior mycology knowledge is required; a background in food science, agriculture or public health is helpful.
How is Mycotoxins and Public Health: An Introduction taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment is based on participation in live sessions and applied module exercises using real commodity scenarios. The final risk profile is reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A mycotoxin risk profile for one commodity covering fungi, toxins, exposure, limits and supply chain control points.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Mycotoxins and Public Health: An Introduction?
The natural next step is Diploma in Medical Mycology Foundations.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).