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Aflatoxin Poisoning Threatens East Africa Trade and Public Health
The danger of aflatoxin to health and economies is leading to a flurry of activity across Africa as policymakers grapple with the problem. A two-day workshop brought together experts from agriculture, health and trade industries in Burundi in March. A similar conference was organized for Eastern and Southern Africa in Malawi in March.
About five billion people worldwide suffer from uncontrolled exposure to aflatoxin, according to Ousmane Coulibaly with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Benin. The use of Aflasafe, he said, is much cheaper than other control methods such as irrigation, insecticides and post-harvest interventions.
Despite the grim facts, aflatoxins have not attracted much attention from authorities due to lack of advocacy and public awareness, said Maina Wagacha of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Kenya. And even though the fungus cannot be fully eliminated, he said, contamination can be brought down to safe levels. As a result of these concerns and following the workshops, the East African Community has established a Regional Experts Working Group on Aflatoxins to spearhead efforts to battle the menace.
Copyright AFK Insider 2014
