The EFSA’s draft Scientific Opinion on the risks to public health related to the presence of aflatoxins in food is available for comments. This document presents estimations of human dietary exposure to aflatoxins and an assessment of human health risks related to dietary exposure to aflatoxins.
EFSA states that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most genotoxic compound compared with the other aflatoxins (B2, G1, G2 and M1), however fewer studies are available regarding the genotoxicity of the other aflatoxins. EFSA considers that liver carcinogenicity of aflatoxins remains the pivotal effect for the risk assessment. In view of the genotoxic properties of aflatoxins, EFSA considered that it was not appropriate to establish a tolerable daily intake.
Regarding chronic dietary exposure, the highest AFB1 and total aflatoxins (AFT) mean concentrations were obtained for the food category ‘legumes, nuts and oilseeds’, in particular for pistachios, peanuts and ‘other seeds’.
EFSA highlights the necessity of more technical and scientific data and recommends continuous monitoring the aflatoxin occurrence in the light of potential increases due to climate change.
The deadline for comments is November 15, 2019.
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EFSA states that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most genotoxic compound compared with the other aflatoxins (B2, G1, G2 and M1), however fewer studies are available regarding the genotoxicity of the other aflatoxins. EFSA considers that liver carcinogenicity of aflatoxins remains the pivotal effect for the risk assessment. In view of the genotoxic properties of aflatoxins, EFSA considered that it was not appropriate to establish a tolerable daily intake.
Regarding chronic dietary exposure, the highest AFB1 and total aflatoxins (AFT) mean concentrations were obtained for the food category ‘legumes, nuts and oilseeds’, in particular for pistachios, peanuts and ‘other seeds’.
EFSA highlights the necessity of more technical and scientific data and recommends continuous monitoring the aflatoxin occurrence in the light of potential increases due to climate change.
The deadline for comments is November 15, 2019.
More information