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Be careful! Aflatoxin has such a great impact on children. Do you know?
Aflatoxins have been a topic of concern in the food supply chain in many countries, especially regarding their health effects on children. These carcinogens are produced by certain molds, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), these toxins are "the best-known and best-studied mycotoxins in the world." Due to the severity of these toxins, it is important to understand their sources, effects, and how to protect against them.
Aflatoxins can be found in a variety of crops and foods, including corn, peanuts, rice and almost all other staple foods and commodities.
Aflatoxins grow primarily in soil, decaying plant matter, and various agricultural products. When these contaminated foods are processed or eaten, aflatoxins enter the food chain. These toxins are not only found in human food, but also in pet food and feed for agricultural animals, and are then passed on to consumers through milk and meat.
Most worryingly, children are particularly vulnerable to exposure to aflatoxins, which studies have linked to a range of health problems, including immune suppression, developmental delays and liver cancer. Although some studies have shown that growth in children is affected by aflatoxins, this association has not been consistently demonstrated in all studies.
Adults have a higher tolerance to aflatoxins, but there is still a risk because no animal species is immune to them.
The presence of aflatoxins is not limited to certain areas, but is becoming more widespread with the impact of climate change. These molds are more likely to spread and multiply in environmental conditions of high humidity or drought. This phenomenon puts agricultural products, especially corn, at a higher risk of aflatoxin contamination.
The impact of aflatoxin
Long-term exposure to aflatoxins may lead to chronic health problems, primarily affecting the liver. The main manifestation of acute poisoning is liver necrosis, while chronic exposure increases the risk of liver cancer. When aflatoxin enters the human body, it is metabolized by the liver and causes DNA mutations in cells, which is one of the main factors leading to cancer.
Studies show that combined exposure to aflatoxins and other toxins can increase health risks, especially for people with immune system problems.
For children, the effects of aflatoxins can be particularly pronounced, potentially leading to growth restriction or developmental delays, which can have significant implications for their future health and quality of life. Therefore, early identification and prevention of exposure to this toxin is particularly important.
How to prevent aflatoxin exposure
Ways to prevent aflatoxin include ensuring the hygiene of the food supply chain, such as refusing to use grains that are moldy, and testing them for aflatoxin levels before adding them to processed products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a tolerance level for aflatoxins in food or feed at 20 to 300 ppb to reduce consumer risk.
Also, in agriculture, good post-harvest handling and storage practices can greatly reduce the risk of food contamination, such as keeping grains dry and avoiding high humidity environments.
Aflatoxin Detection
Currently, there are two main methods for detecting aflatoxin: measuring Aflatoxin B1-guanosine adducts in urine to assess recent exposure, and measuring Aflatoxin B1-albumin adducts in serum to assess Obtain longer-term exposure information.
With the discovery of aflatoxins in many foods, consumers' concerns about food safety are gradually increasing. Aflatoxins can be detected in various products such as peanut butter, vegetable oils and some commercial foods. Therefore, understanding relevant historical cases and monitoring have become quite important.
Although adults have a higher tolerance to aflatoxin, it does not mean that it does not pose potential risks. As research continues, so too do the scientific teams working to understand its impact. Are there enough measures in place to protect our vulnerable children? This is a question we must ask ourselves.
