ABSTRACT
Feed safety is reliant on a multitude of factors and can be affected by both natural and artificial contaminants including plant and fungal toxins, chemicals and pathogens to name a few. These contaminants may result in deteriorated feed quality, reduced performance and increased incidence of disease in poultry, ultimately leading to a significant economic loss for producers. Moreover, livestock feed is considered to be the beginning of the human food chain. As poultry are raised to produce meat and eggs for human consumption, these contaminants may also represent a human health concern. This chapter focuses on those contaminants considered to pose the most significant risk in poultry and the human food supply: mycotoxins, dioxins and bacterial pathogens. Each section will discuss the negative effects of these factors as well as possible control measures that may be implemented to reduce feed contamination and secure feed and food safety.
