Mycotoxins and child health: Of mycotoxicosis and food safety in Egypt; a search

ABSTRACT

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by ceratin species of fungi. They have a range of diverse chemical and physical properties and toxicological effects on man and animal. In the ear of globalization, Mycotoxins are by far, the most important contaminatns of the food chain for human health and economy. Aflacions continue to receive major rsearch attention bcause of its high toxicity and carcinogenicity. Fumonisinis, ochratxin A, trichothencese, patulin and zearalenone have gained growing nterest in view of their osed threat to the health of humans and animals. In Egypt, many foods and feeds are not uncommonly contaminated with mycotoxins. These include cereals, nuts, milk and milk products, animal feeds sampled from different regions of Egypt. Immense research efforts are going on to identify and determine the magnitude of these contaminations and potential harads to health. Children are at a particular risk to health hazards posed by mycotoxins because of the likelihood of higher exposure on a body weight basis. In Egypt, available epidemiological data suggest a possible causative role for mycotoxins in some liver and rnal disorders in children and adults. Maternal and child health, neonatal diseases, protein energy malnutrition are repeatedly studied in relation to mycotoxins. While complete elimination of mycotoxins from foods is an impossible goal, it is important to ensure that their levels in food do not pose a health concern. A variety of interrelated safety approaches have been dvanced in recent years to assess the hazards, monitor and assess exposure, and determine te associated risk. Integrated mycotoxin control proframes have been developed. Risk posed by mycotoxins in food present an enormous challenge to national govermments and international agencies responsible for food safety control. food control is a widely shared responsibility that requires positive interaction between all stakeholders. Countries are allowed to adopt different food safety standards provided they ae justified by current available evidence and will not create unnecessary technical barriers to international trade. Code Ali mentarius national requirements worldwide, control through legalization is usually set no a national basis and is mainly restricted to the aflatoxins, of which aflatoxins B1 is accepted as a potent liver carcinogen. It has been recommended at the international level the tolerance level be based on a risk assessment approach rather than on analyticial limitations [i.e. level below which no detection is possible by analytical means]. National capability to cope with the impact of globalization will be crucial in the years to come. Egypt food safety control in relaton to mycotoxins is dicussed and recommendations were withdrawn