Urinary deoxynivalenol as a biomarker of exposure in different age, life stage and dietary practice population groups

•Deoxynivalenol (DON) and metabolites was present in urine from 256 of 257 individuals.•Children had higher urinary concentrations of DON than other age groups.•Pregnant women and vegetarians had similar urinary DON concentrations as other adults.•Estimated intake of DON exceeded the TDI for highly exposed children.•Estimating DON intake from urinary DON is a useful method to monitor DON exposure at the population level.