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Aflatoxins Challenge in Tanzania. Regional Workshop on the Aflatoxin Challenge in Eastern and Southern Africa, Lilongwe-Malawi, 11-13 March 2014. Dr. Martin E. Kimanya Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology.
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Aflatoxins Challenge in Tanzania Regional Workshop on the Aflatoxin Challenge in Eastern and Southern Africa, Lilongwe-Malawi, 11-13 March 2014 Dr. Martin E. Kimanya Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
Occurrence aflatoxins in cereal and oil crop harvests of 1987 and 1988 in Tanzania ML = 20 µg/kg
Occurrence aflatoxins in other foods in Tanzania • Aflatoxin M1 in cow’s milk, determined in 92% of samples at levels ranging from 0.005–0.855 µg/kg • Aflatoxin B1 in Fish, at levels ranging from 7-19 µg/kg • Aflatoxin B1 in opaque beer, at 10-50 µg/L
Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in breast milk: occurrence, percentage of the milk exceeding EU MLs a: EU limit for AFM1 contamination in infants food
What are the potential solutions for aflatoxin control in Tanzania • The Tanzania performs a country and economic assessment in 2012 with PACA support • Tanzanian stakeholders came together at the aflatoxin stakeholders’ workshop (co-organized by TFDA and Abt Associates) • Actions plans that support adoption of the priority control strategies were sketched out • The National Forum for Mycotoxins Control, with a supporting steering committee
Priority Control Strategies for Agriculture • Continue to measure, test, and assess the scale of the problem • Promote and make available good agricultural/management practices • Develop bio-control for Tanzania, keeping in mind the cost implications for poorer farmers • Continue research efforts for breeding maize, groundnuts, and other crops for mycotoxin resistance, for availability in the longer time horizon
Priority Control Strategies for Trade • Shape the marketplace to improve awareness of the presence and risks of aflatoxin in the food and feed system and create market-based incentives for safer food • Improve the formaulation and application of standards relating to aflatoxins in domestic markets • Improve policies and procedures for product withdrawal • Improve suitability for commerce or trade of susceptible products.
Priority Control Strategies for Public Health • Promote proper food handling, processing, and preparation to reduce mycotoxin contamination • Achieve universal vaccinations for HBV since liver cancer risk is 30 times higher in HBV-positive populations • Routinely monitor mycotoxins in cereal-based weaning foods
Priority Control Strategies for Policy Reform • Recommend review and finalization of various policies eg. (1) National Food Security Policy, (2) National Food Safety Policy, (3) National Nutrition Policy • Coordinate with relevant ministries and institutions and propose mycotoxin levels for feed • Ensure that priority strategies and action plans are included in the business plans of relevant departments and institutions within line ministries
Priority Control Strategies for Policy Reform • Raise awareness from the community level up to the decision makers • Support more research to fill the current gaps in aflatoxin prevalence • Develop and agree on a data collection protocol and require that results from research conducted in Tanzania be shared with the national government and entered into a centralized database
` Thank you