Alternaria Mycotoxins in the Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Food Chain

Hemp seeds and derived products were recently re-evaluated in the food sector, thanks to their high nutritional value and absence of gluten. This increasing diffusion required to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxins, in particular of Alternaria toxins (ALTs), has been uncovered at high levels in previous work. An integrated approach was involved in this study. First, Alternaria spp. incidence and ALTs were determined in hemp seeds harvested in different fields during 2024 and 2025 and the influence of meteorological conditions and of varieties was evaluated. Then, their distribution in hemp oil and defatted flour was studied after a cold pressing process of naturally contaminated hemp seeds, finding a high percentage, over 85%, in hemp cake. Finally, a small survey was conducted on different hemp products intended for direct human consumption, confirming the risk of contamination in seeds, flour and derived bakery products.