(Deuxième session ordinaire du Parlement de la CEDEAO 2019) Presented at 2019 Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament; 2 December 2019.

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Combattre les Aflatoxines en Afrique de l'Ouest
Deuxième session ordinaire du Parlement de la CEDEAO 2019
Abuja, Nigeria; 2 Decembre 2019.

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What are aflatoxins and why worry about them?
Quelles sont les aflatoxines et pourquoi on doit
s’inquiéter ?

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Les aflatoxines sont des toxines naturelles
qui empoisonnent les aliments
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Aflatoxins are mostly regulated at 4 to 20 ppb
137 ppb 179 ppb182 ppb 2 ppb
Samples from Mali, 25 Octobre 2019
5,000,000
CFU/g
7,000
CFU/g
250,000
CFU/g
2,000
CFU/g
Les aflatoxines sont principalement réglementées de 4 à 20 ppb

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Maïs = 326
Arachide = 183
Nombre d'échantillons
Toxigène : 4,178
Non toxigène: 905
Toxigénicité
Une étude au Ghana

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Aspergillus et cultures
Les cultures seront toujours associées
aux champignons Aspergillus
Aspergillus
Certaines cultures sensibles: maïs, arachides, sorgho,
graines de coton, piment, millet, figues, graines de
melon, gingembre, sésame…

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Effets des aflatoxines
Les exportations ont
perdu jusqu'à 670
millions USD
Cancer du
foie
MortToxicité
rénale
Immunité
réduite
In utéro,
transmission du
lait maternel
Limites réglementaires: principalement
4 ppb - 20 ppb

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Aflatoxin Pathways and Health Impact in Humans
Figure 3. Aflatoxin Disease Pathways in Humans
Field and post-harvest
Poor storage conditions
contamination
Aflotoxin
accumulation in
food crops and feed
Aflotoxin
Acute aflatoxicosisconsumption
Malnutrition and stunted
Liver cirrhosisgrowth in children
Chronic
aflatoxicosis Chronic hepatitis B
Immune suppression and C infection
Adverse effects on Liver cancer
reproductive health (hepatocellular carcinoma)
Adapted from Wu, 2010
• Aflatoxin can affect major organs of
the body but the primary target of
aflatoxin is the liver.
Long term exposure to Aflatoxin in Adults
can result in the following:
• Liver Cancer. It has also been
associated with other cancers.
• Aflatoxin can also result in fatty liver,
enlarged spleen and in some cases
renal failure
• Immunosuppression: It can lead to
increased susceptibility to infections
such as HIV and Tuberculosis
• High dose exposure can lead to acute
illnesses such as bleeding disorders,
liver cirrhosis, depression and even
death
• Children are more likely to die from
aflatoxin contamination than adults

9. Holistic Approach for Aflatoxin
Management: PACA’s Experience
PACA Presentation to ECOWAS Parliament
02 December 2019
Abuja, Nigeria
Stella Denloye
PACA Secretariat
,

10. Aflatoxins: one of the most pervasive
food safety challenge in Africa
Public
health
Food and
nutrition
security
Trade
and
economy
30% of liver cancer
cases in Africa caused by
aflatoxin contamination
40%
of commodities in local African
markets exceed maximum
limits in foods
Africa loses annually up to
$670min lost export
trade due to aflatoxin
contamination

11. Summary of Aflatoxin Prevalence in Key Crops from
AfricaAIMS 2015/16 Surveillance Study
Aflatoxin Prevalence (from PACA AfricaAIMS)

12. Kenya case study:
1981, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2014
41.5% case fatality
Country Subject/sample Aflatoxin levels:
Incidence (Range)
Reference
Cameroon Human (n=62) 5% (5–625 ng/L) Tchana et al. 2010
Egypt Human (n=388)
Human (n=443 in summer)
Human (n=443 in winter)
Human (n=150)
Human (n=125)
36% (6–5131 ng/L)
56% (6–497 ng/L)
56% (LOD–108 ng/L)
65% (200–19,000 ng/L)
70% (7–328 ng/L)
Polychronaki et al. 2006
Polychronaki et al. 2007
Polychronaki et al. 2007
Tomerak et al. 2011
El-Tras et al. 2011
Nigeria Human (n=28)
Human (n=120)
Human (n=50)
18% (LOD–4,000 ng/L)
14% (2,000–187,000 ng/L)
82% (4–92 ng/L)
Atanda et al. 2007
Oluwafemi et al. 2012
Adejumo et al. 2013
Sudan Human (n=94) 54 (LOD–2,561 ng/L) Elzupir et al. 2012
Tanzania Human (n=143) 100% (10–550 ng/L) Magoha et al. 2014
Ethiopia Cow milk (n=110) 100% (LOD–4.98 ng/L) Gizachew et al. 2016
Nigeria Cow milk (n=100) 75% (9–456 ng/L) Oluwafemi et al. 2014
Occurrence of aflatoxins in breast milk and cow milk

13. Kenya case study:
1981, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2014
41.5% case fatality
Country Subject Sample Aflatoxin levels:
Incidence (Mean)
Reference
Benin/Togo
Benin
Children (n=480)
Children (n=200)
Blood
Blood
99% (32.8 pg/mg)
98-100% (37.4-86.8)
Gong et al. 2003
Gong et al. 2004
Cameroon Infants (n=220)
Adults (n=175)
Urine n/a (0.33ng/mL)
9.1% (0.05µg/L)
Ediage et al. 2013
Abia et al. 2013
Egypt Lact. mothers (n=46)
Preg. women (n=98)
Blood
Blood
Urine
37% (50ppm)
35% (4.9 pg/mg)
48% (19.7 pg/mg)
Shouman et al.
2012
Piekkola et al. 2012
Piekkola et al. 2012
Nigeria Adults, adolescents &
children (n=120)
Urine 14.2% (0.3µg/L) Ezekiel et al. 2014
Senegal Adults (n=168) Blood n/a (45.7 pg/mg) Watson et al.
2015
The Gambia Children (n=472)
Preg. women
Preg. women
Children (n=138)
Blood
Blood
Cord blood
Blood
93% (22.3 pg/mg)
100% (40.4 pg/mg)
48.5% (10.1 pg/mg)
11% (8.7 pg/mg)
Turner et al. 2003
Turner et al. 2007
Turner et al. 2007
Turner et al. 2007
Tanzania Children (n=166)
Children (n=166)
Blood
Blood
84% (12.9 pg/mg)
99% (23.5 pg/mg)
Shirima et al. 2015
Uganda Adults (n=100) Blood 100% (11.5 pg/mg)
Asiki et al. 2014
Occurrence of aflatoxins in human body fluids

14. ❑ Conducive climatic conditions
❑ Traditional crop production and post-harvest
practices
❑ Food insecurity and limited dietary diversity
❑ Low levels of awareness about the problem and
options
❑ Weak institutional capacity: policy, regulations,
putting research into use
❑ Complexity of the problem, which makes
targeting interventions difficult
This situation is aggravated by poorly coordinated responses.
Factors Contributing to the Mycotoxin
Challenge in Africa

15. Aflatoxin management calls for ‘a bag of
tricks’(integrated, valid options) to address this
complex problem
Photo credit: merchant-medieval.com

16. Elements of aflatoxin management:
▪ Need for systemic thinking and integrated
multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach
▪ A mix of preharvest, postharvest processing measures
– Proper agronomic and crop management practices
– Stress/fungus resistant cultivars
– Competitive biological control
– Proper drying to safe moisture levels
– Clean and dry storage
– Hermetic storage solutions
– Decontamination: Detoxification (e.g. ammoniation)
and “removal” (feed additives - binders)
– Market incentives to drive behavior change
– Regulatory measures: enforcing max limits and
frameworks for alternative use of contaminated
food/feed

17. • The AUC launched PACA in
2012 to support MS and RECs
deal with the complex
aflatoxin problem
• The establishment of PACA was
approved by the JCMTA in
November 2012 and endorsed by
the Executive Council Decision
EX.CL/768 (XXII).
• The AUC then set up structures for
operationalization of PACA such as:
– a dedicated Secretariat
– Steering Committee
– 10-year strategy

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The biocontrol technology Aflasafe: Development
and commercialization
La technologie de contrôle Biologique Aflasafe:
développement et commercialisation

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Aflasafe: stratégie innovante pour la réduction de l'aflatoxine
Faits rapides
Aflasafe est composé
de non-toxine qui
exclut les toxines
générateurs de toxines
dans l'environnement
Il est appliqué 2 à 3
semaines avant la
floraison de la culture
par diffusion.
La protection avant
récolte est maintenue
après la récolte
• Résultats avec une réduction de plus de
90% de la teneur en aflatoxine dans les
champs traités
• Il est facile à appliquer et rentable
Avantages d'Aflasafe
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Un poison naturel: Aflatoxine
Une solution naturelle: Aflasafe

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Efficacité sur le maïs: tous pays confondus
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3.9
167.3
28.8
345.5
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
Aflasafe
treated
Control Aflasafe
treated
Control
At Harvest After poor storage
Aflatoxinppb
À la récolte
Données provenant d'au moins 1
500 essais d'efficacité sur le terrain
chez les agriculteurs + utilisation
commerciale
Traité
à l'Aflasafe
Non traité
Traité
à l'Aflasafe
Non traité
Après un mauvais stockage

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Sûreté d'Aflasafe - études éco-toxicologiques
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Sûreté d'Aflasafe - études éco-toxicologiques(cont)
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2014
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2016 2017 2018
•Résumé de> 4 ans de recherche
•Dossier de plus de 150 pages
Document content

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L’expérience Nigérianne
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Au cours des 6 dernières années
75 786 agriculteurs ont acheté et utilisé Aflasafe sur
99 503 ha de maïs (32 entreprises privées)
Environ 1 000 tonnes d'Aflasafe.
Plus de 213 406 tonnes de maïs sains
Nourriture
saine sur le
marché
Agriculteurs
équipés, entreprises
de gestion de
l'aflatoxine
Amélioration de
la santé et des
moyens de
subsistance.
Nourriture

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Principaux développements au Sénégal
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Usine de fabrication pour
AflasafeSN01
Laboratoire de contrôle de qualité
Emballage d'Aflasafe SN01
186 tons of Aflasafe SN01
used.

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Peu ou pas de contamination par
l'aflatoxine
<4 ppb
contre
>1,000 ppb
Traité contre non traité

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www.aflasafe.com

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29. Early analysis showed country
level challenges of aflatoxin
contamination in Africa:
• Complexity – difficulty of targeting
interventions
• General lack of access to locally relevant
evidence
• Limited availability of technology solutions
• Limited implementation capacity
• Inadequate incentives:
– Low market distinction for safe produce
– Limited government action

30. Direct support to governments to have wide sphere of
influence for systemic change in aflatoxin control
(PACA Secretariat’s Strategic Direction)

31. PACA’s Gov’t support is driven by government-led,
stakeholder-aligned country plan approach
Prepare Country Plans: Year 1 Execute Country Plans: Year 2 - 5
Stage 1: Gather
evidence to
inform plan
Stage 2: Validate
& mainstream
country plan
Stage 3: Support
gov’t capacity to
implement plan
Stage 4:
Monitor
progress and
advocate
The Secretariat will enhance
capacity to implement the plan and
monitor progress
A single cohesive, government-led country
plan bridges the gap between needed
interventions and dedication of resources

32. PACA focuses on the six pilot countries with a
plan to scale
Maps are illustrative
Gambia, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda

33. National Aflatoxin Control Action
Plan (NACAP) Implementation and
Investments through PACA Support
• Malawi partnering with FHI360 for communication and
advocacy; project with EUR 1 million GIZ funding launched in
Q2 2018
• Gov. of Senegal approved US$1.2 million for implementation of
the NACAP; efforts to integrate in PRACAS 2
• Nigeria: closely collaborating with ATTC and exploring NACAP
implementation options
• Tanzania to launch the US$ 20 million GAFSP grant for
implementation of its NACAP; TFDA funds NMSC meetings
• The Gambia: conducted nation-wide sensitization and
awareness campaign with the NEMA project the MoA
• Uganda conducted stakeholder mobilization meetings; national
steering committee funded by MAAIF

34. Success factors in PACA’s national plan
approach
• High level government and
AUC endorsement
• Coordination role of:
– National Aflatoxin/Mycotoxin
Control Steering Committees
– Aflatoxin Technical Working
Groups
– PACA Country Officer
• Partnerships with diverse
stakeholders
• Regional platforms to
promote prioritization and
exchange information;
aflatoxin control programs
organically initiated in 12
additional countries
H.E. President Yoweri Museveni of
Uganda opening PACA PPM 2016

35. Aflatoxin is a silent killer and testing capacity is crucial:
PACA provided testing equipment and training to
seven Member States; sampling training to 15 MS

36. Critical gaps for effective aflatoxin
control in African countries
1. Conclusive evidence on health and economic
impacts of aflatoxin contamination, cost-benefit of
management options, hot-spots, forecasting
systems, etc.
2. Affordable, accessible and reliable testing for
aflatoxins
3. Systemic food safety control capacity gap
4. Regulatory enforcement (stick incentives) and
alternative use frameworks
5. Market incentives: lack of market distinction
between contaminated and safe produce
contributes to the status quo

37. Regional Activities
Regional Action Plans
- ECOWAS
- COMESA
Regional Capacity Building
- Sampling and testing protocol training
- Value chain focused workshops

38. Continental Activities
• The Africa Food Safety Index:
Tracking Food Safety in
the AU Biennial Review of
Agricultural Transformation
• International Food Safety
Conference (AU/FAO/WHO)
• Africa Food Safety Agency

39. Main Messages
• Despite decades of research and some
progress, practical mycotoxin control remains
elusive
• Evidence based country-led and regional
approaches show promise to prioritize and
finance mycotoxin control
• Multi-sectoral coordination through country
owned mechanisms and regional
harmonization are needed for effective
implementation of comprehensive mycotoxin
control programs

40. PACA developed evidence to inform
policies and aflatoxin control actions

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SUMMARY
Aflatoxins constitute a threat to the food security, the public health and
the competitiveness of exports
ECOWAS Regional Aflatoxin Control Plan approved in 2014:
Mainstreaming in the National Agricultural Investment Plan of 3
countries
Availability of a package of technologies and practices from pre-
harvest to post-harvest to control aflatoxin contamination in major
crops
Low awareness about the problem and solutions among farmers,
businesses, consumers and policy makers
Limited capabilities for the enforcement of food safety regulations

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Call for Actions
- Development of National Aflatoxin Action Plan in all member
states
- Investment in awareness raising at national and regional levels
through strategic partnerships with the public and private sector
- Harmonization and enforcement of food safety and quality
regulations
- Scale up the use integrated aflatoxin management solutions
through public and private partnerships

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Acknowledgments
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Contacts
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Dr. Kenton Dashiell, Deputy Director General, Partnership for Delivery
E-mail: K.Dashiell@cgiar.org
Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA)
Dr. Amare Ayalew, Program Manager
E-mail: Amarea@africa-union.org