Tag Archives | aflatoxins

Mitigating Aflatoxin Exposure to Improve Child Growth in Eastern Kenya

A project by the International Food Policy Research Center (IFPRI) seeks to identify and utilize postharvest and storage technologies to reduce aflatoxin exposure, and studies the impact of reduced exposure on child nutrition. The project will take place in 65 villages in Eastern province, Kenya. http://www.ifpri.org/publication/mitigating-aflatoxin-exposure-improve-child-growth-eastern-kenya

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Young Kenyan Woman Named Recipient of 2013 Borlaug Field Award for Scientific Biological Breakthroughs Combating Deadly Grain Mold

Kenyan food scientist, Dr. Charity Mutegi, is honored for her efforts in reducing aflatoxin contamination in Kenya. Mutegi is leading the development of a biocontrol product used to fight off aflatoxins in maize. The award is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and administered by the World Food Prize. http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/24667/25372/young_kenyan_woman_named_recipient_of_2013_borlaug_field_award_for_scientific_biological_breakthroughs_combating_deadly_grain_mold

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Kenya: Grain Purchase Plan for Machakos

A county government will buy maize from farmers to reduce risks of exploitation from middlemen, as well as to control presence of aflatoxin that is frequently found in home-stored grain. http://allafrica.com/stories/201306110145.html

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Combating Aflatoxin – a Value Chain Approach

Alfatoxin, a cancer-causing fungus, costs Africa nearly $750 million in export losses to the EU each year, and puts an estimated 4.5 billion people worldwide at serious health risk. A UK-based organization called Twin works with farmers in Malawi to raise awareness, share best practices, and build private sector partnerships to improve supply chain safety. […]

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Linking Smallholder Farmers to Markets in Africa

The G8 increasingly emphasizes the importance of market linkages for smallholder farmers in Africa. International debates and conversations, captured in two recent reports, focus on 5 priorities for how markets can function better for smallholders. Several organizations on the ground are promoting a market focus, such as FANPRAN, Farm Africa, the One Acre Fund, and others. […]

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Food Safety: Train Smallholders to Improve Processing at Farms

The organization Twin is training Malawi farmers on best practices to avoid illness and crop losses caused by aflatoxin contamination of staple food crops. Twin’s initiatives align with a postharvest approach to food security, which addresses the safety and preservation of food already produced. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/apr/30/food-safety-staple-crops-toxins

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Aflatoxin Cited As Major Cause Of Cancer In Africa

A high-level official with the African Union Commission spoke recently about the increasing danger of aflatoxin contamination for Africans. He reported that over 5 billion people in developing countries are at risk, and that 1 in 5 African males suffer from a disease related to aflatoxin contamination. http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v3/read.php?id=MjI3NDI2

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Food Security Debate Needs to Include Stronger Focus on Food Safety

This article argues for the need to include food safety in food security discussions due to the high occurrence of aflatoxin contamination in staple crops such as maize, peanuts, and rice. The dangerous toxin develops due to inadequate storage, posing serious health risks for local consumers and inhibiting market development for smallholder farmers. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/fairtrade-partner-zone/food-security-safety-developing-countries?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRovs67AZKXonjHpfsX86%2BwrXqO1lMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4EScNkI%2FqLAzICFpZo2FFcH%2FaQZA%3D%3D

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Kenyan Farmers Turn to New Weapons Again ‘Osama’

Kenyan farmers are benefitting from metal silo technology that protect grains against pests. Kenyan experts seek to scale-up the project after two years of successful pilot implementation. Pests are thought to cause up to 30% loss of Kenyan maize, the equivalent of about 162 million tonnes per year.  http://allafrica.com/stories/201212180907.html

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Hungary Says Feed Maize Contains Toxin, Tightens Controls

Hungary food safety authorities have found the country’s feed maize supply to be contimated with aflatoxin. Some officials suggest this year’s severe drought might have caused the increased presence of aflatoxin. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/10/hungary-maize-idUSL5E8NACY620121210

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