Zearalenone Contamination in Corn, Corn Products, and Swine Feed in China in 2016–2018 as Assessed by Magnetic Bead Immunoassay

In total, 405 samples of corn, corn products, and swine feed from China in 2016–2018 were surveyed for zearalenone (ZEN) contamination using a magnetic bead immunoassay-coupled biotin–streptavidin system (BAS-MBI). The developed BAS-MBI had a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.098 ng mL(−1), with half-maximal inhibition concentration (IC(50)) of 0.71 ng mL(−1) in working buffer, and an LOD of 0.98 ng g(−1); the detection range was from 0.98 to 51.6 ng g(−1) in authentic agricultural samples. The BAS-MBI has been demonstrated to be a powerful method for the rapid, sensitive, specific, and accurate determination of ZEN. The ZEN positivity rate reached the highest level of 40.6% in 133 samples in 2016; ZEN levels ranged from 1.8 to 1100.0 ng g(−1), with an average level of 217.9 ng g(−1). In 2017, the ZEN positivity rate was the lowest at 24.5% in 143 samples; ZEN levels ranged from 1.1 to 722.6 ng g(−1), with an average of 166.7 ng g(−1). In 2018, the ZEN positivity rate was 31.8% in 129 samples; ZEN levels ranged from 1.3 to 947.8 ng g(−1), with an average of 157.0 ng g(−1). About 20% of ZEN-positive samples exceeded maximum limit levels. An alternative method of ZEN detection and a valuable reference for ZEN contamination in corn and its related products in China are provided. This survey suggests the need for prevention of serious ZEN contamination, along with management for food safety and human health.