Mycotoxin contamination in food and feed worldwide has proven to be an expressive impasse. (Hussein and Brasel, 2001). According to FAO estimates, mycotoxins have contaminated 25% of the world's food crops, causing significant economic problems. (Aidoo, 2011). These toxins are compounds produced by many types of fungi (EFSA, 2013) and have negative impacts on humans, animals and crops which, according to Hussein and Brasel (2001), cause disease and losses to the economy. The common entry of most mycotoxins into food and animal feed occurs through contamination of grains, plant material and other crops. (Aidoo, 2011). The proliferation of fungi and the production of mycotoxins occur in favorable environmental conditions, such as adequate humidity and temperature. (EFSA, 2013). According to Aidoo (2011), the number of known mycotoxins exceeds 400, of which approximately 30 have caused great concern. The most relevant agroeconomically relevant mycotoxins are ergot alkaloids, fumonisins, aflatoxins, trichothecenes, ochratoxins, zearalenone and tremorgenic toxins. (Hussein and Brasel, 2001). Those most generally associated with cereals are deoxynivalenol, aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone and ochratoxins (Milani and Maleki, 2014). This essay aims to expose the characteristics of mycotoxins, describe some of the main ones, explain their agricultural relevance and the measures to control them. First described in 1988, fumonisins are synthesized by the process of condensation of the amino acid alanine into a compound derived from precursor acetate. They are produced by several species of Fusarium, in particular Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium nygamai. The most economically significant species... middle of paper... and although efforts have been made worldwide to develop ways of controlling these toxins, the implementation of practical measures remains inadequate. (Hussein and Brasel, 2001). The development of analytical processes for identifying and quantifying these toxins in agriculture has received noteworthy research. Such effort is necessary due to the complexity of the chemical and the diversity of the substrate. The effectiveness of control measures for these toxins depends on a combination of factors such as "good agricultural practices, carefully controlled storage and surveillance at every stage, from field to plate, and feed production". (Aidoo, 2011). Achieving excellence in mycotoxin control will allow crop producers to ensure safety, quality and high production levels without compromising the health of consumers.