Colloidal gold, quantum dots and polystyrene microspheres were used as labels in three kinds of lateral flow immunochromatographic assays (ICAs) for the detection of zearalenone (ZEN) in cereal samples. The assays allow ZEN to be quantified within 20 min. The LODs are 10 μg·L of ZEN for the colloidal gold-based ICA, and 1 μg·L for both the quantum dot and polystyrene microsphere based ICAs. The respective data are 60 μg·kg, 6 μg·kg and 6 μg·kg, respectively, for spiked samples and cereals. Only minor cross-sensitivity occurred between ZEN and fusarium toxins, and no cross-sensitivity if found for aflatoxin B, T-2 mycotoxin, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and fumonisin B. LODs of the three assays are lower than the maximum limits of ZEN set by most standardization agencies. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of three lateral flow immunochromatographic assays (ICAs) based on the use of (a) colloidal gold (CG), (b) fluorescent quantum dots (QD), and