Aflatoxin (2024)

FAQs

Aflatoxin? ›

Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts. The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world.

Aflatoxins 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. Several types of aflatoxins are produced naturally.

Large doses of aflatoxins can lead to acute poisoning (aflatoxicosis) and can be life threatening, usually through damage to the liver. Aflatoxins have also been shown to be genotoxic, meaning they can damage DNA and cause cancer in animal species. There is also evidence that they can cause liver cancer in humans.

Aflatoxin toxicity may result in nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions, and other signs of acute liver injury.

Although aflatoxins are known to cause cancer in animals, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows them at low levels in nuts, seeds, and legumes because they are considered "unavoidable contaminants." The FDA believes occasionally eating small amounts of aflatoxin poses little risk over a lifetime.

Aflatoxins are not destroyed by normal food processing practices, such as fermenting, boiling, cooking or baking. 7. What are the impacts on trade? Africa loses an estimated US$670 million in rejected export trade annually due to contamination by aflatoxins.

Studies show that chlorophyllin and chlorophyll supplements help reduce the bioavailability of aflatoxin. Milk thistle, marshmallow root and dandelion root all help cleanse the liver and can lower digestive symptoms. Activated charcoal can help bind to aflatoxin mold and carry it out of the body more easily.

Heat treatment can also reduce aflatoxin levels. However, the effects depend on the type, time, and temperature used. Adding chemicals like hydroxide, bicarbonate, and calcium chloride can enhance the results. Ozone treatment at 8.5–40 ppm at different temperatures can eradicate aflatoxins B1 and G1.

Aflatoxins are colourless and cannot be detected under normal light. Most often, the fungus that produces them shows up as a surface mould. The fungus can be made visible under UV light (basic detection method). Aflatoxins are odourless and contaminated food most often does not have any special or bad smell.

Does natural peanut butter have aflatoxin. The short answer is, yes. But, there are products that don't and ways to eliminate it. As you'll see below, many considerations affect whether or not your peanut butter has mold.

Does rice have aflatoxins? ›

Aflatoxins are a family of mycotoxins produced by a fungus of the genus Aspergillus (mainly A. flavus and A. parasiticus), which can be found in rice [2].

Aflatoxin is a type of toxin caused by a fungus (certain kinds of Aspergillus) that occurs naturally in hot and humid climates. It's a silent killer as it doesn't change the taste of food, according to Ayalew, a plant pathologist and the program manager for the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA).

You can reduce your aflatoxin exposure by buying only major commercial brands of nuts and nut butters and by discarding nuts that look moldy, discolored, or shriveled. To help minimize risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tests foods that may contain aflatoxins, such as peanuts and peanut butter.

Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts. The main fungi that produce aflatoxins are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world.

The products affected by this recall are: Value Pack (VP) Nuts and Raisins (400g) with a Best Before: 29 SEP 2024. Value Pack (VP) Roasted Salted Peanuts (400g) with a Best Before: 08 OCT 2024 and 15 OCT 2024. Value Pack (VP) Roasted Salted Peanuts (750g) with a Best Before 08 OCT 2024.