World Food Security Day
2022-06-07, 09:05
Food safety is everyone's business, as are mycotoxins, the existence of which, unfortunately, too few people know about, and which impinge on the health of humans and livestock. Consumption of products contaminated with them carries a serious threat to health and life, causing poisoning, respiratory problems, strokes, cancer, or damage to the liver and pancreas. This is why an integrated system to combat mycotoxins is so important.
Mycotoxins are some of the most toxic substances on earth, produced by certain species of fungi (molds). They can be found in our foods, such as cereals, flour, vegetables, and fruits. Very often corn, for example, is contaminated, but so are other products or intermediates, which are also feed ingredients.
These toxic substances can be formed in the field, during harvesting, or during improper storage, such as in storage warehouses or in containers during shipping. Optimal conditions for their development, such as a temperature of 20-25 °C and adequate moisture levels, are sufficient.
They will not be destroyed by boiling, or frying, and most do not succumb to UV radiation or the action of chemical compounds... Therefore, let's pay attention to the products we buy and eat. When you see mold on a vegetable, you should throw it away, and not cut out the piece infested with it, because toxic substances are probably also inside it.
It is hugely important to follow good agricultural and industrial practices because it is almost impossible to prevent mold and mycotoxin contamination. In order to make our lives safer, it is necessary for producers to implement a comprehensive mycotoxin risk management program to minimize these risks in the animal feed supply chain from the perspective of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.
