12-14 September 2017. Ghent, Belgium. 1st MYCOKEY International Conference. THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION IN AFRICAPatrick Njobeh* and Adekoya Ifeoluwa Dept of Biotechnology and Food Technology Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

1. THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF
MYCOTOXIN CONTAMINATION IN AFRICA
Patrick Njobeh* and Adekoya Ifeoluwa
Dept of Biotechnology and Food Technology
Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

2. Outline of the Presentation

4. Definitions and concepts of mycotoxins
 Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of fungi.
 Discovery of mycotoxins.
 300-400 mycotoxins mainly AF, FB, OT, TH, ZEA as economically important.
 Main producers- Aspergillus, Fusarium & Penicillium depend on a number of factors.
 Highly variable in their chemical structures- cause variable diseases (mycotoxicoses)
varying from species to species.
 Affect over 25% of world’s food annually (topic of discussion).
 Human exposure mainly via ingestion of contaminated foods, but other routes:
inhalation, parental and dermal exposures.
 Mycotoxin contamination at unacceptable levels seriously compromise food
quality and safety (topic of discussion).
 Cause serious health complications and even death in severe cases (topic of
discussion).
 Classification of mycotoxins : 1) Acute or chronic 2) carcinogens, teratogens,
immunotoxins, nephrotoxins and or genotoxins.

5. Mycotoxin related diseases are non-transmissible from person to
person.
 Diagnosis may be impossible may be due to complexity and
complications under clinical situations due to interactions with other
agents.
Mycotoxicosis prevention (topic of discussion) is most preferred than
treatment that do not exist, but may involve fortifying diets with high
quality protein, soluble vitamins and selenium.
In fact, mycotoxins are ranked the most important chronic dietary risk
factor, ahead of synthetic contaminants, plant toxins, and pesticide
residues.
Mycotoxins seriously compromise food utilization and food health
(quality) as well as food availability (quantity), impacting negatively
on food security.

7. Mycotoxin contamination at unacceptable levels leading to food
safety concerns and trade rejections
Losses in animal productivity arising from mycotoxin health-
related problems.
Human health cost.
Mitigation:
 Surveillance and management (Policy-linked); and
 Research
Litigation as well as damage to branding and reputation that may
lead to business closure.
Factors contributing to socio-economic losses

8. A typical African food market situation

9. A street food market in Yaounde, Cameroon

11. Socio-Economic Impact of Mycotoxin
Contamination
• The most obvious negative economic impact of mycotoxins
is an outright loss of crops and affected animals.
• Also, humans may encounter severe health hazard or high
mortality rates in countries with less regulation or monitoring
programs.
• Thus, the negative economic impact resulting from
mycotoxin contamination is certainly very significant and
estimated to be above US$ 1 billion annually.

12. Some reported cases of
contamination and outbreaks

13. The case of aflatoxin in Kenya

14. • The 2011, an outbreak of aflatoxicosis in South Africa living over 220
dogs dead and many others affected after consuming pet food
contaminated with AF.
• This led to more than 4000 of bags recalled from the shelves with at
least R5 Million (~320 000 EUR) lost, leaving some manufacturers
out of business thereafter due to damage to branding.
The case of aflatoxins in S. Africa

16. • Losses in animal productivity arising from mycotoxin health-
related problems.
• Some other associated effects on animals:
– decreased feed utilization and efficiency;
– decreased reproductive performance,
– reduced milk or egg production,
– embryonic death or birth defects,
– tumours,
– Immunosuppression that may be accompanied by secondary
infection, and
– Mortality.

17. Estimated loses in monetary terms due to aflatoxin contamination in
Africa is estimated at US$ 450 million of trade annually, which is more
than a third of world loses.
IITA 2009/2010 Annual Report
Gbashi et al., 2017. In: Aflatoxin-Control, Analysis,
Detection and Health Risks. InTech

18. Examples of trade losses in Africa and border issues
according to EC (2015; 2016; 2017):
•In 2016, 33 peanut shipments from Egypt were rejected and
again in 2017, another rejections occurred due to AFB1
contamination above 7.4 ppb.
•76 notifications on AF in food are related to spices from
Ethiopia in 2015.
•Also, notifications were received for Gambian peanut and
feed in 2015.

19. • Yearly >600000 people die of liver cancer worldwide
which has been linked with aflatoxins particularly in
China, south-east Asia and SSA (Parkin, 2006).
• The annual cost of foodborne illnesses has been
estimated to be about $15.5 billion annually.
• However, mycotoxin-related health costs in Africa have
not been accurately established.
• Health costs are related to medical expenses primarily
from people suffering from liver cancer, and indirect
costs associated with pain, anxiety and reduction in
the quality of life.
Human health cost

20. Conclusion
• Profound health and socio-economic consequences.
• Reduces food availability leading to famine and
malnutrition - food insecurity.
• Regulatory rejections, loss in market value, forced use
of alternative food sources, may be via importation to
supplement local production.
• Increased cost on research & management activities.
• Annual loss is estimated at 750 million USD on AF
contamination alone.
• Poor perception and low level of awareness have been
one major reason for increased mycotoxin levels.

21. • There are many reasons for establishing improved food
safety programs rather than focusing only on increasing
productivity:
–Food safety laws now exist even though enforced even by a
few that may, lead to litigation and damage to branding and
reputation - business closure an outcome;
–Prevent loss of lives;
–Severe economic losses in the end;
–Consumer protection that can guarantee consumer
confidence, loyalty, and health; and
–Increase profit margin.

22. Recommendation
–Ensure supply of safe food to the people you serve
(patriotism).
–Social stability due to food security.
–Economic development with further increase in employment
opportunities.
–It is much cheaper to establish and invest in preventative
measures than curative ones (other words actions better than
reactions).
–Finally, food safety and politics need to be interwoven with
each playing a role for the benefit of all mankind, therefore,
approach to food safety must be multi-disciplinary (in very
strong terms).

23. Acknowledgement
• Organizing committee for inviting and hosting me;
• My research team (Mr. O.A. Adebo, Mr. S. Gbashi…)
in the University of Johannesburg, South Africa; and
• Finally, NRF/UJ for funding my research activities.

24. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION!
“Research is not intended to make one dump,
but many at times it does, extending our
boundaries of ignorance. We just have to keep
doing it anyway, since we don’t know what we
are doing”
…..Patrick Njobeh, 2015

25. Contact details:
PB Njobeh; Tel: +27 11 559 6803; Fax: +27 11 559 6651; Email:
pnjobeh@uj.ac.za