European agriculture is confronted with a growing demand of consumers for organic vegetables. However, undesirable components such as mycotoxins, fungal poisons which can produce toxic syndromes in humans and animals, pose a challenge to the safety of organic vegetable products. The overall objective of this proposal is to develop strategies to ensure a safe organic food supply by developing detection . methods, anticipating mycotoxin risks, tracing the sources of contaminants in the food production chain, and eliminating the risk factors. The research will be done with the model carrot-Alternaria, the latter fungus being a known producer of harmful myctoxins. This will result in safe organic carrots and processed products, thereby contributing to consumers health and supporting organic farming systems.