A mycotoxin produced by Fusarium tricinctum, Fusarium gibbosum, Fusarium roseum, and three subspecies of the latter, Fusarium roseum culmorum, Fusarium roseum equiseti, and Fusarium roseum graminearum. In animals, it has been shown to possess oestrogenic and anabolic properties. The production of zearalenone by Fusarium roseum required alternating high (24°C-27°C) and low (12°C-14°C) temperatures. The lower temperature is necessary for the induction of the biosynthetic enzyme for zearalenone, whereas the higher temperature is important in the proceeding of the biosynthesis. Food types involved in the contamination of zearalenone include maize, wheat, flour, and milk.