Tackling aflatoxins: An overview of challenges and solutions
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International Food Policy Research Institute
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Aflatoxins, naturally occurring carcinogenic byproducts of common fungi on grains and other crops, occur more frequently in the tropics, particularly in maize and groundnuts. Persistent high levels of aflatoxins pose significant health risks in many tropical developing countries. In addition, they are also a barrier to the growth of commercial markets for food and feed, including exports. In the European Union (EU) countries and the United States strict standards have been set to minimize aflatoxins on crops consumed in foods or as animal feed. Where aflatoxins are more widespread and costs of mitigation and testing are higher, meeting such standards remains challenging.
Attention to aflatoxin issues from the policy community has increased in recent years, with growing recognition of their health risks as well as the barrier they pose to market development. The 2002 imposition of new, stricter aflatoxin regulations in the EU has raised concerns about the future for African exports of groundnuts and other crops. Local food procurements by the World Food Programme in Africa in 2007 encountered significant levels of aflatoxins, thus raising awareness of potential contamination in food supplies for the poor. The recent formation of the Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) demonstrates the commitment of governments and donors to addressing this public health and market development issue.
Because aflatoxins are a pervasive environmental risk, control will require a multifaceted approach. Many different efforts will be required to move toward higher quality food and reduced food safety risk. The briefs in this series thus provide several perspectives on solutions for reducing aflatoxins. The series begins with what is known about the health risks from aflatoxins, as this is the foundation for public health policy. Next, efforts to build new market channels and incentives that can improve aflatoxin control are considered. The international trade and policy context for action in developing countries follows, including how risk analysis might inform policy. Finally, briefs from several CGIAR centers outline how new technologies and new detec
Palabras clave
aflatoxins, mycotoxins, diseases, food safety, health policies, malnutrition, food security, technology, biosafety, quality, markets, cereals, cereal crops, grain, maize, groundnuts, value chains, child stunting