Aflatoxin Latest News
Exporters are disputing Indonesia’s delayed notification of aflatoxins in groundnut shipments from India.
About Aflatoxin
- Aflatoxins are a toxic chemical (a mycotoxin) produced by fungi.
- The mould-like fungi that produce aflatoxins belong to a large group called Aspergillus (It is produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus fungi).
- Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus thrive mainly in agricultural crops but also in soils, rotting food and compost.
- The fungi emerge as spores and form networks of microscopic filaments that can grow on products such as grains and nuts.
- These fungi contaminate groundnuts in warm, humid conditions.
- It can occur in foods such as groundnuts, tree nuts, maize, rice, figs and other dried foods, spices, crude vegetable oils and cocoa beans, as a result of fungal contamination before and after harvest.
- Health Impacts: This toxin is reported to be genotoxic, carcinogenic, and pose risks to human and animal health.
How are people Exposed to Aflatoxins?
- People can be exposed to aflatoxins by eating contaminated plant products (such as peanuts) or by consuming meat or dairy products from animals that ate contaminated feed.Â
- Farmers and other agricultural workers may be exposed by inhaling dust generated during the handling and processing of contaminated crops and feeds.
Source: TH
Aflatoxin FAQs
Q1: Which foods contain aflatoxins?
Ans: Aflatoxins can occur in foods such as groundnuts, tree nuts, maize, rice, figs and other dried foods, spices, crude vegetable oils and cocoa bean.
Q2: What is the primary health risk associated with aflatoxin exposure?
Ans: Liver cancer
Q3: Which of the following fungi is known to produce aflatoxin?
Ans: Aspergillus
