Aflatoxin is a toxic metabolite produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. It poses significant health risks to humans, and the main source of exposure is through consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated food. The following are some of the main foods that are commonly contaminated with aflatoxin.
Nuts, including peanuts
Aflatoxin levels are particularly high in nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, and sunflower seeds. It is best to avoid consuming peanuts and seeds that have visible signs of mold, as they are likely to contain aflatoxin. Aflatoxin has a long half-life in the human body and is difficult to eliminate, so if you enjoy eating nuts and come across any bitter-tasting ones, it is important to discard them promptly.
Corn
Aflatoxin is commonly found in soil and can form during the growth of crops. Factors such as dense planting, weed overgrowth, insufficient nitrogen fertilizer, and pests contribute to the formation of aflatoxin. Aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus fungi in the soil can infect corn kernels, resulting in increased levels of aflatoxin in the corn.
Rice and other cereal crops
It is well known that grains that become damp and moldy after harvest can produce aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is mainly concentrated in the moldy grains. Any grains with yellow-green mold, damage, shriveling, or discoloration should be carefully selected and discarded to avoid aflatoxin contamination. It is important to store grains in cool and dry conditions and thoroughly inspect them before consumption.
Milk and dairy products
In 2011, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China detected aflatoxin contamination in a batch of products from Mengniu Dairy. This incident caused a major uproar. The main cause of the aflatoxin contamination was the excessive consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated crops by dairy cows, resulting in a small amount of the toxin being transferred to their milk. Therefore, there is a risk of aflatoxin contamination in milk produced by cows that are fed crops as feed.
Edible oils
Peanuts are prone to aflatoxin contamination, so it is possible for oil made from peanuts to be contaminated as well. In the industrial processing of edible oils, there are multiple steps that can reduce aflatoxin to some extent and remove it. However, those who prefer to make their own oil should be cautious. It is advisable to use well-preserved peanuts for oil extraction since homemade oil does not go through the refining process that commercial oils undergo, making it more susceptible to aflatoxin contamination.
