produce safety

The Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja has warned the general public to avoid consumption of food contaminated with aflatoxins.    

While addressing journalists at media centre about a countrywide campaign against the prevalence of aflatoxins in food, beverages and feeds in Uganda (Kampala 25/10/2018), the minister said MAAIF warned the public to take precaution on the deadly virus.    

He said when food contaminated with aflatoxins is consumed by humans, it increases the risk of getting liver cancer, reduces immunity and causes digestive disorders, low birth weight and impaired child growth.    

“It also greatly reduces the quality of agricultural products, which also end up either attracting low prices or being rejected in the local and international markets”. He added.  The Minister added that in Uganda, the most affected products are groundnuts, all oil seed cakes such as those from cotton seeds, cereal crops which include millet, sorghum, rice and maize, dried cassava chips, sweet potato chips and silver fish which is commonly refered to as “mukene”.    

On livestock, the Minister said since grains like maize are also used to make animal and fish feeds, fish and livestock are also affected.  “Animals that consume feeds which are contaminated with aflatoxins produce low-quality meat and milk”. The Minister said.    

What are aflatoxins?  

These are natural compounds produced by a mould known as “Aspergillus flavus” which grows on grains that have been poorly handled by farmers, traders and in some cases consumers. The mould may sometimes not be visible on the affected grains.    

It means that the grains can develop mould at the level of harvest, storage, transportation or processing, especially in conditions of both high temperatures and high relative humidity.

Challenges in the Maize Grain Sector  (Uganda National Bureau of Standards - UNBS)

The major challenges in this sector revolve around maize grains which are not dried properly and therefore possess high moisture content. Maize Grain that is not dry when stored is at high risk of rapid deterioration and spoilage.  Dried maize grains should have a moisture content of no more than 13.5%.  

The other challenge worth mentioning is the presence of aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain kinds of fungi (moulds) that are found naturally all over the world; they can contaminate food crops and pose a serious health threat to humans and livestock.  

High Moisture content and heat stress are commonly associated with most aflatoxin outbreaks in Maize grains. Furthermore insect damage and poor storage can also contribute to higher occurrence of the moulds that can lead to aflatoxins. Large doses of aflatoxins lead to acute poisoning (aflatoxicosis) that can be life threatening, usually through damage to the liver.  

Quality Standards  (UNBS)

The key Quality requirements for Maize Grains in Uganda are addressed by; US EAS 2:2017, Maize grains — Specification (2nd Edition);  This Uganda Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test methods for maize grains of varieties grown from common maize grains, Zea mays indentata L. and/or Zea mays indurata L. or their hybrids intended for human consumption.