Roundtable of aflatoxin experts on
“Building a multi-stakeholder approach to mitigate aflatoxin contamination of food and feed”
Brussels, Monday 25th January 2016
2. Aflatoxin?
Are secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic
fungi, mainly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus
parasiticus.
The major metabolites are Aflatoxin B1 and B2.
These toxins are produced by the fungi in cereals,
pulses and nuts under favorable conditions of
temperature and moisture
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3. Aflatoxins?
When feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1 are fed to
animals, the Aflatoxin B1 is hydroxylated by ruminal
enzymes to Aflatoxin M1
Aflatoxin M1 is excreted through the milk. The
translation of AFB1 in feed to AFM1 is about 200:1
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4. SIGNIFICANCE of AFM1
Contains about 2-10% of the carcinogenic potential
of AFB1. Listed as carcinogen class B by IARC
Infants are weaned onto milk and if contaminated
with AFM1 exposes infants to AFM1 when not
immunocompetent
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5. SIGNIFICANCE of AFM1
Affects food safety -
Prevalence of aflatoxin in milk in Kenya estimated
at 72%. This translates into 3.744 billion litres out of
5.2 billion which are annually are contaminated.
20% is with aflatoxin above 50 ppt (FAO/WHO)=
748 million litres should be discarded annually-
create insufficiency.
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6. SIGNIFICANCE of AFM1
Used as a non tariff barrier in trading with milk and
milk products. If the destroy 748 Million liters of milk,
cost $249M annually – lost in trade or more to import
Over 80% of milk production in Africa is by
smallholder farmers. Livestock important livelihood to
help populations move out of poverty. Aflatoxins
drives them deeper back.
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7. AFM1 in African Milk
Cow
milk
Country Sample
size
positive
Level ug/kg Reference
Nigeria 3/22 0.11 -0.52 Atanda et al 2007
Kenya 474/613 0.005b-0.78 Kangethe and Langat 2009
South Africa 42/42 0.04-1.32 Dutton et al 2010
Cameroon 10/63 0.0006-0.527 Tchana et al 2010
Sudan 42/44 0.22 -6.90 Elzupir and Elhusseini 2010
Tanzania 34/37 Urio et al 2006
Cheese Tunisia 11/15 3.5 -11.5 Ghali et al2008
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8. MITIGATIONS
Is this a problem of intensive dairying?
Yes, all supplement during milking with commercial
formulations or rotten grains unfit for human consumption
Are farmers aware of the consequences of feeding possibly
aflatoxin contaminated feed?
No.
60% use rotten grains as animal feed.
55% do not think the milk from animals feed
contaminated maize is a risk.
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9. MITIGATIONS
Yes
They associated reduced milk production and quality,
susceptibility to diseases and reduced weight gain with
feeding rotten maize – BUT NOT AFLATOXIN
WHY are technologies extended not adapted and adopted?
Illiteracy level is very high –majority are primary school
graduates or no formal education
Capital and time invested outweighs benefits
Build practical capacity on good husbandry practices
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10. MITIGATIONS
Livestock not considered when national food
estimates are calculated – Farm for livestock
Feed inspection and aflatoxin surveillance should be
incorporated into national surveillance systems
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11. THE ESSENCE OF LIFE
IS TO PLANT A TREE
UNDER WHOSE SHADE
YOU DO NOT EXPECT TO SIT
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