The main commodities affected by DON contamination are cereals, including grains such as wheat, buckwheat, barley, oats, rice and maize. Due to its stability, DON has also been detected in a range of processed cereal products including breakfast cereals, bread, infant food and beer. The formation of DON in growing crops is dependant on climate and varies between geographical region and year.

Digestion of DON contaminated commodities is known to induce vomiting, particularly in pigs, feed refusal, weight loss and diarrhoea. Studies also suggest that DON may also have effects on the immune system.