How does ergot get in your food?

Ergot can grow on rye and other grains as a result of infestation. Claviceps purpea, or Ergot, can get into food made with grain products that have been infected. Typically, it grows in temperatures of 18-30 °C (64.4-86 ºF) temperatures above 37 ºC (98.6 ºF) causes rapid germination, or the sprouting of fungi. If you know where your grain products are coming from you should be fine from the Ergot.