In my career as an internist, I have come across many high-profile cases, but the case on aflatoxins has particularly stood out to me. Aflatoxin, an invisible killer hidden in our daily food, is classified as a Class 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, and its harm to the human body cannot be ignored. I remember that during a night shift, a middle-aged man was admitted to the hospital with severe abnormal liver function. Through a detailed medical history, I learned that his diet consisted of a lot of corn and peanuts, two common carriers of aflatoxins. Further tests and laboratory analysis confirmed my suspicions: the patient's food was chronically contaminated with aflatoxins, resulting in severe liver damage. This case reminds me once again that the dangers of aflatoxins can be easily overlooked, and that when health problems occur, the consequences can be fatal.
Sources and risks of aflatoxins
1. Sleeper killers in food
Aflatoxins are mainly produced by certain types of molds, especially Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus aeruginosa. These molds are more common in tropical and subtropical climates, and the warm and humid environment provides ideal conditions for these molds to grow. Common contaminated foods include grains (e.g., corn, wheat, rice) and nuts (e.g., peanuts, almonds, walnuts), as well as various legumes and spices.
2. Field-to-fork communication
Aflatoxin contamination can begin during crop growth and can also occur during post-harvest storage and transportation. Improper storage conditions, such as high humidity and high temperatures, can significantly increase the levels of mould and aflatoxins in food. In addition, aflatoxins can also enter the human body through meat and dairy products after contaminated feed is fed to livestock, expanding its impact.
3. Direct and indirect health risks
Direct human exposure to aflatoxins through the consumption of contaminated food can cause both acute and chronic health problems. Symptoms of acute poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and liver damage. More seriously, long-term exposure to low doses of aflatoxins may increase the risk of liver cancer, due to the high carcinogenicity of aflatoxins.
Hazards of aflatoxins
Effects on the liver: Aflatoxins mainly enter the human body through the food chain, and causing serious damage to the liver is its most direct harm. It can cause acute or chronic hepatitis and, in severe cases, liver failure. Long-term exposure to aflatoxins significantly increases the risk of liver cancer. Studies of the suppression of the immune system have shown that aflatoxins are not only harmful to the liver, but can also suppress the immune system and reduce the body's ability to fight disease. This inhibition makes individuals more susceptible to various infectious diseases. Effects of embryonic developmentFor pregnant women, aflatoxin ingestion may also affect the normal development of the embryo. Studies have shown that this toxin can cross the placenta and cause direct toxic effects on the embryo, increasing the risk of miscarriage and congenital malformations.
Prevention and control measures and recommendations
Food Storage: The Right Way to Prevent MoldIn everyday life, the way food is stored is essential to prevent the production of aflatoxins. First of all, keeping the storage environment dry and clean is a basic principle. For example, ensure that foods such as cereals, nuts, and dried fruits are stored in well-ventilated and relatively dry conditions. The use of airtight containers can effectively keep out moisture and reduce the chance of mold growth. Detection and control: Critical steps: Regular testing of raw materials and finished products for aflatoxins is a necessity for food producers. Complex chemical testing is not possible for home users, but they can make a preliminary determination of possible contamination by observing food for mold, odor or color change. In addition, choosing reputable merchants and brands when making purchases is also an effective way to reduce risk.
Purchase and consumption advice: When buying grains, nuts and other foods that are easily contaminated, try to choose products that are intact and undamaged, and pay attention to whether there is a mold-proof label on the packaging. In addition, it is advisable to regularly replace food products that have been stored for a longer period of time and avoid eating dry goods and grains that have been stored for too long. Strategies for finding problematic foodsAs soon as you notice mold spots or other abnormal signs of food in your home, discard them immediately and avoid trying to remove the mold and then eat the leftovers. Because the toxins from mould may have penetrated into other parts of the food, removing the mould alone will not completely eliminate the risk. With these simple yet effective measures, we can significantly reduce the health threat of aflatoxins. Pay attention to food safety, start from the small details of daily life, and create a safer eating environment for yourself and your family.