Strategies to reduce exposure of fumonisins from complementary foods in rural Tanzania

Abstract

Feeding infants with maize can expose them to fumonisin mycotoxins. We assessed fumonisin exposure from complementary foods in rural Tanzania and determined strategies to reduce the exposure. We conducted a cross-sectional study in four villages of Tarakea division, Northern Tanzania. We used a repeat 24-hour dietary recall to collect data of maize consumption as complementary food for 254 infants aged 6-8 months. Fumonisin concentrations in the maize were also estimated. Fumonisin exposure was assessed using @risk analysis software. With the software, several maximum fumonisin contamination and maize consumption patterns were combined in order to determine effective strategies for minimizing fumonisin exposure. Of the infants, 89% consumed maize at amounts up to 158g/person/day (mean; 43g/person/day±28). The maize was contaminated with fumonisins at levels up to 3201µgkg(-1) . Risk of fumonisin intake above the provisional maximum tolerable daily limit of 2µgkg(-1) body weight was 15% (95% confidence interval; 10-19). The risk was minimized when the maximum contamination was set at 150µgkg(-1) . The risk was also minimized when the maximum consumption was set at 20g/child/day while keeping the maximum contamination at the European Union (EU) maximum tolerated limit (MTL) of 1000µgkg(-1) . Considering the economical and technological limitations of adopting good agricultural practices in rural Tanzania, it is practically difficult to reduce contamination in maize to 150µgkg(-1) . We suggest adoption of the EU MTL of 1000µgkg(-1) for fumonisins in maize and reduction, by replacement with another cereal, of the maize component in complementary foods to a maximum intake of 20g/child/day.

Mycotoxin Exposure and Infant and Young Child Growth in Africa: What Do We Know?

“…Maize consumption and FB contamination patterns in rural South Africa and Tanzania are similar [22]. The average per capita maize consumption can be as high as 397 g/day in South Africa [23] and as high as 356 g/day in Tanzania [24].…”

Review of the Inhibition of Biological Activities of Food-Related Selected Toxins by Natural Compounds

“…For example, the consumption of fumonisin-containing maize retarded the growth of Tanzanian infants and adult celiac patients consumed higher levels of fumonisin (0.395 μg/kg) than non-celiacs (0.029 μg) [44,45]. …”

Reducing Malnutrition: Time to Consider Potential Links Between Stunting and Mycotoxin Exposure?

“…In rural Tanzania, fumonisin exposure through corn (maize) in complementary foods was negatively associated with linear growth in infants. 21 Infants exposed to fumonisin intakes above the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 2 mg/kg body weight were significantly shorter by 1.3 cm. 21 Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) exposure has been extensively studied in pigs but far less is understood about its effects on human children.…”

“…21 Infants exposed to fumonisin intakes above the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 2 mg/kg body weight were significantly shorter by 1.3 cm. 21 Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) exposure has been extensively studied in pigs but far less is understood about its effects on human children. In pigs, feeding on grain contaminated with deoxynivalenol causes lower feed intake and lower weight gain.…”