EFSA opinion on the risks of aflatoxins in food

EFSA has assessed the risks to human health from the presence of aflatoxins in food. To carry out the risk assessment, the experts assessed the toxicity of aflatoxins to humans and estimated the dietary exposure of EU populations.
This scientific opinion updates the previous opinion published in 2007 by confirming the previous conclusions that aflatoxins are genotoxic and carcinogenic and issuing new recommendations:

– Data are needed to clarify the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of aflatoxin G2.
– In order to derive the power factors for aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin B2 compared to aflatoxin B1, and for aflatoxin G2 if necessary, more data is required.
– Research aimed at quantifying the relationship between biomarker levels and food intake at the individual level, integrating dietary exposure over time to biomarker levels, is recommended. Such a study would be performed in populations with an indigenous aflatoxin-rich diet with measurable biomarker levels.
– More data are needed regarding the presence of aflatoxicol and aflatoxin M2.
– The presence of aflatoxin should continue to be monitored in light of potential increases due to climate change using high sensitivity detection methods.

For more information, you can consult the EFSA public consultation and responses and the EFSA report on the risks of aflatoxins in food.

Orchidali can help you conduct bibliometric analyzes of scientific literature.