Choose rice wisely to avoid aflatoxin contamination

The Taiwanese population mainly relies on rice as their staple food. Aflatoxins are metabolites of the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which mainly contaminate rice, beans, peanuts and other foods. Food contamination is caused by improper storage. These toxins seriously endanger people's health, including liver cancer caused by aflatoxin B1.

Foods that are easily infected, such as rice, peanuts, corn, and coffee beans, should be placed in a well-ventilated environment.

According to the latest Ministry of Health and Welfare's list of the top 10 causes of death in Taiwan in 2013, malignant tumors still top the list, with liver cancer ranking second. As the liver is an organ that metabolizes many nutrients and toxins, fungi are converted into carcinogenic intermediates by CYP enzymes in the liver. If more attention is paid to food hygiene and safety, the number of deaths from this cause may be reduced. How can we avoid purchasing food contaminated with aflatoxin?

【Avoid aflatoxin contamination】:

1. Avoid eating peanut butter: Since it is impossible to confirm the production environment of peanut butter, if the processing environment does not properly store food, it is easy to ingest peanut butter containing toxins.

2. Pay attention to the storage environment: Foods that are easily infected, such as rice, peanuts, corn, and coffee beans, should be placed in a well-ventilated environment.

3. Pay attention to the shelf life of food: avoid eating food once it has passed its shelf life.

4. Pay attention to the source of purchase: avoid buying cereals from unknown sources, or when drinking coffee outside, avoid choosing a coffee shop with slow business, as you may eat or drink expired or improperly stored food.