As part of efforts to reduce food poisoning from molds, scientists from at least 13 African nations deliberated on ways of controlling aflatoxins within foods such as maize and groundnuts.

The discussions were held during a four day Aflatoxin Biocontrol Workers’ Network Workshop that ended on Thursday in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

Participants reflected on the progress made in rolling out an effective and safe biological control product called Aflasafe. 

Dr Ranajit Bandyopadhyay, Senior Plant Pathologist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)-Nigeria said the results presented showed a potential future towards controlling aflatoxins on the continent.

"Participants discussed the current status of aflasafe development in various countries and research protocols. These result provide understanding of the needs for future developments of bio control in Africa,” he said.

Aflasafe reduces the prevalence of aflatoxins in treated maize and groundnuts by 80-99 per cent from farm to fork.

On his part, Prof Peter Cotty, a Research Plant Pathologist at USDA-ARS, who pioneered the original technology pointed out that the products provide farmers with reliable solutions during storage of produce.

"Biological control products such as Aflasafe provide farmers with a safe, simple solution that protects their crops on the farm and in storage, saving them a long list of tasks to carry out to prevent their crops from being contaminated with aflatoxins,” said Prof Cotty.

Barriers to trade

Aflatoxins are highly toxic chemicals produced mainly by fungi in several food crops. They have been associated with cancer and liver disease, suppression of the body’s immune system, retardation of the growth of children, and in cases of extreme poisoning, lead to rapid death of both humans and livestock.

Globally it is estimated that about $1.2 billion is lost annually due to aflatoxin contamination, with African economies losing $450 million each year due to lost trade.

In sub-Saharan Africa they greatly threaten efforts to achieve food security and poverty reduction in the rural communities. Major fatalities and economic losses from aflatoxins include nine people who died in Tanzania from suspected aflatoxin poisoning, while in Kenya over 400,000 bags of maize in government stores were reported to be contaminated and not fit for human consumption.

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