Video: Aflatoxin contamination in Kenya A Fungal Toxin Infecting the Food Chain


Persistent high levels of aflatoxins—naturally occurring carcinogenic byproducts of common fungi on grains and other crops—pose significant health risks to animals and humans in many tropical developing countries.


Chronic exposure to aflatoxins leads to liver cancer and is estimated to cause as many as 26,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa. This infographic depicts the ways that aflatoxins persist throughout the food chain. At each level, research can help understand how to manage risks.


Susceptible Crops


Field crops infested with aflatoxin


Tree nuts Spices Oil seeds Cereals © UNEP Poor Storage


Toxins increase during storage


Distribution of liver cancer cases attributable to aflatoxin in different regions of the world


Europe 0%


Animal Consumption


Animals and dairy are infected from contaminated feed


Human Consumption


Humans consume toxins in staple foods and dairy products


Western Pacific 20%


Africa 40%


Impact on Dairy Production


Livestock produce less, loss of income and food


Impact on Human Health


Consumers experience liver cancer, poisoning


Liver Acute poisoning


Linked to stunting and immunosuppression


Eastern


Mediterranean 10%


Source: Tackling Aflatoxins: An Overview of Challenges and Solutions, Laurian Unnevehr and Delia Grace.


Source: © ILRI North


America 0%


Latin America 3%


Data Source: Liu and Wu (2010)34


Distribution of liver cancer cases attributable to aflatoxin in different regions of the world. Data Source: Lin and WU (2010)


59 cancer


Southeast Asia 27%


UNEP FRONTIERS 2016 REPORT

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