This course is part of Module II: Technology and Practice on Grain Postharvest Loss Reduction within the webinar series on postharvest loss reduction organized by the WFP Centre of Excellence for Rural Transformation (WFP China COE). The series was held from August 27th to September 26th, 2024, with support from the Academy of China’s National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration (NAFRA).

The overall objective of this webinar series is to share China’s extensive experience, technologies, and practices in reducing postharvest loss. Across two modules—Module I: Experience on Grain Postharvest Management and Module II: Technology and Practice on Grain Postharvest Loss Reduction—a total of 16 Chinese presenters introduced China’s approaches to postharvest management and demonstrated key technologies applied by aggregators at various stages of the postharvest process.

Within this framework, the present course offers an overview of fungi and mycotoxins, examining their characteristics, associated risks, and global implications for food safety. It outlines the importance of rapid detection technologies in addressing mycotoxin contamination, emphasizing advantages such as ease of operation, costeffectiveness, and suitability for onsite analysis. The course highlights the evolution of rapid detection methods, with a focus on advancements in automation and intelligent testing. It also underscores the need to evaluate the performance of rapid detection products to ensure accurate and reliable screening results for maintaining food safety standards.