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Preface


Acknowledgments
Foreword
Participants in mycotoxins in food in Africa workshop

Acknowledgments

Thanks go to Kenneth Kelly and Cécile Lomer of Arched Worldwide, for translating, editing, and preparing this document for publication. Special appreciation goes to Stan Hacheme, Sylvain Anato, and Leo Sossou for assistance in all aspects of conducting the workshop. The workshop was funded Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA), and the International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada, and organized by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, in the Republic of Benin.

Foreword

K.F. Cardwell
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA),
Cotonou, Republic of Benin

A technical overview alone would not describe the sense of urgency that many participants of the Mycotoxins in Foods in Africa workshop came to share during the week of November 6-10 1995 at IITA, Cotonou, Republic of Benin. Evidence is fast accumulating that people in much of sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing heavy dietary exposure to numerous food-borne mycotoxins. The high exposure levels appear to be having a profound effect on sociological and economic development in the continent. Reports from medical and agricultural research across the continent, painted a picture so alarming it was resolved that the issue of mycotoxins in foods in Africa must become a primary research and development target in the immediate future. This Proceedings of the Workshop on Mycotoxins in Food in Africa summarizes the information that was brought to the workshop and the conclusions that were drawn by the participants.

In 1990, the German Technische Zusammenarbeit Gesellschaft (GTZ) offered funding to maize scientists at IITA to investigate the levels of aflatoxin in maize in West Africa. It was an important question because by 1991 the FAO Food Production Worldbook had shown that maize had surpassed all other food crops in production area in sub-Saharan Africa, having increased from 17 to 21 million hectares in a decade. The majority of this maize is cultivated by tens of millions of small scale farmers whose average yield is about one ton per hectare. Their harvest is stored under conditions which promote physical degradation of the grain, and people consume the grain from those stores anywhere from three months to a year after harvest. With the help of the German donor, a team of graduate researchers set off to all corners of Nigeria and Benin Republic to interview hundreds of farmers and collect maize samples from their stores which were brought back for analysis at IITA. We had expected to find some contamination, but we were surprised to see very high levels of mycotoxins in maize across all agro-ecological zones. The results of that work are abstracted in these proceedings. Our results were substantiated during the workshop when Kafuie Kpodo also showed high levels of toxins in virtually all samples of a traditional form of processed maize in Ghana, and Chris Wild reported the ubiquitous presence of aflatoxin in human blood samples from across West Africa. These reports indicate that there is chronic exposure to food-borne mycotoxins, probably beginning in utero.

The next question is, "what do we do now?" In the industrialized North, aflatoxin has been strictly regulated since the 1960's when the effects of chronic and acute toxicity were recognized. Regulatory standards vary from country to country, but generally 20 ppb is the allowable limit. The limits were based on extrapolations from animal studies which indicated the strong tumor initiating and promoting potential of aflatoxins. In addition to tumorigenesis, aflatoxins have been shown to retard growth and development, to reduce fecundity, and to increase morbidity and premature mortality in countless studies on livestock. Similar epidemiological data have not been gathered for human beings. In countries where regulatory standards are imposed and economic penalties are incurred for produce with unacceptable levels of toxins, agricultural technology to reduce or eliminate the toxins is motivated. In those areas the question of public health impact from chronic, life-long exposure, is moot. In many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, on the other hand, agricultural technology is rustic, regulatory restrictions cannot be enforced, and economic penalty is not a factor affecting internal marketing and consumption. The impact of high levels of consumption of mycotoxic foods on the healthy development of children and on cancer rates in adults is only beginning to be documented.

In a 1993 World Development Report: Interventions in Health, World Bank data show that currently in sub-Saharan Africa life expectancy at birth is 52 years, the median age at death is 5 years of age, perinatal morality and child mortality before the age of 5 are higher than anywhere else in the world. Disability adjusted life years (DALY's), as calculated in this World Bank report, are an estimation of morbidity or loss in productivity of an individual due to disease and/or premature death. The DALY's across sub-Saharan Africa were calculated as 574 per 1000 people. This could be interpreted to mean that the average individual can only achieve about half of their potential productivity in their lifetime due to disease burden. Among the top ten killers of children are diarrheal diseases, the immunizable childhood cluster (pertussis, polio, measles, and tetanus), malaria, respiratory infections, perinatal causes, protein energy malnutrition (Kwashiorkor), and iodine and Vitamin A deficiencies.

How much of this morbidity and premature mortality is mediated by foods which are deteriorated and contaminated by mycotoxins? Data presented by Gita Ramjee and Chris Wild (abstracted in this proceedings) indicate that immune suppression from mycotoxicosis may be significant.

How much evidence do we need to bring about policy decisions by African nations to make a concerted effort to address the problem? Which agricultural technologies are feasible to reduce mycotoxin levels in foods produced by 10 million small scale producers? These questions were the focus of this workshop which occurred thanks to the Danish international development agency (Danida) and the International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada.

Medical and agricultural researchers from North America, Europe and Australia interacted with their counterparts from South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, the Republic of Benin, Ghana, The Gambia, and Guinea Conakry. Names and addresses of the participants can be found in the Preface of these proceedings. The workshop was honored by the presence of both the Minister of Health and the Minister of Rural Development of the Republic of Benin who opened the sessions. Their addresses appear in Section I.

Ten discussion papers were presented. Half of them reviewed medical case studies in Africa and Asia and detection methodologies for mycotoxin exposure. The other half assessed available or potential agricultural technologies for the reduction of mycotoxins in foods. Abstracts of the papers are in Section II. As a prelude to regional research planning, participants from many of the African countries completed questionnaires about medical and agricultural research infrastructure in their countries. NGOs working in both sectors are also listed in Section III of these proceedings.

Three working groups developed the concepts for action in the areas of monitoring of toxin levels in foods and human exposure, public health risk assessment and monitoring, and agricultural research and extension. Comparative, interactive research is envisaged to take place in various countries across Africa. Means to facilitate communications and research logistics among the medical and agricultural research are the first requirement. The concept notes and action frameworks are compiled in Section IV of these proceedings.

This workshop was organized as a beginning to action, not an end in itself. The data presented during the workshop convinced the participants that there are very high levels of mycotoxic contamination of foods in Africa, and that this problem is having an impact on human health. The general consensus was that an organized effort on a pan-African scale is needed to address this problem. A resolution to this effect, which was drafted and passed by the assembly, constitutes Section V of these proceedings. It calls for commitment by African governments and international partners. Africa can not afford to ignore mycotoxins in foods. The health and wellbeing of her peoples, their very future, depend on it.

Participants in mycotoxins in food in Africa workshop

Nov. 6-10, 1995 Cotonou, Benin

INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS

Dr. Ray Coker

NRI, Central Avenue,
Chatham Maritime,
Kent ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
Fax: +44-1634 880066/77
Tel: +44-1634 880088
email: Ray.Coker@nri.org

Dr. P.J. Cotty

Food and Feed Safety Unit; USDA
1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70124 USA
Tel: +1-504 286 4387
Fax: +1-504 286 4391
email: pjcotty@nola.srrc.usda.gov

Dr. M.B. Doko

Faculté de Pharmacie, Botanique, Phytochimie et Mycologie
15 avenue C. Flahault,
34060, Montpellier Cedex, France
Tel: +33-6752 7861
Fax: +33-6754 7533
email: espiau@montpellier.inra.fr

Dr. Ole Filtenberg

The Mycology Group
Department of Biotechnology
Technical University of Denmark
Tel: +45-4525 2620, 4593 3066
Fax: +45-4588 4922
email: of@ibt.dtu.dk

Dr. G. Lubulwa

ACIAR, GPO Box 1571, Canberra
ACT 2601, Australia
Fax: +61-6 257 3051
email: lubulwa@aciar.gov.au

Dr. J. David Miller

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C6, Canada
Tel: +1-613 759 1681
Fax: +1-613 759 1701
email: millerjd@em.agr.ca

Dr. R.S. Schilling

CIRAD-CA, BP 5035
34032 Montpellier, France
Tel: +33-6761 5878
Fax: +33-6761 7160

Prof. Leif Sundheim

The Norwegian Crop Research Institute
Plant Protection Centre
Fellesbygget, N-1432 Aas, Norway
Tel: +47-6494 9400
Fax: +47-6494 9226
email: leif.sundheim@planteforsk.nlh.no

Dr. C. Snijders

DLO-Centre for Plant Breeding and Reproduction Research
(CPRO-DLO)
P.O. Box 16
6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands
Tel: +31-3174 77007
Fax: +31-3174 18094
email: c.h.a.snijders@CPRO.DLO.nl

Dr. Angelo Visconti

Instituto Tossine e Micotossine da Parassiti Vegetali,
CNR, I70125
Bari, Italy
Tel: +39-80548 6073 13
Fax: +39-80548 6063
email: visconti@area.ba.cnr.it

Dr. Chris Wild

International Agency for Research on Cancer
150 Cours Albert-Thomas 69372
Lyon, Cedex 08, France
Tel: +33-7273 8485
Fax: +33-7273 8587
email: wild@iarc.fr

AFRICAN PARTICIPANTS

Benin

Dr. Moise Houssou, Director

Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin
Ministère du Développement Rural
BP 884, Cotonou, Benin
Tel: +229-300 264 or 301451

Dr. Akadiri, Director

Départment de l'Alimentation et de la Nutrition Appliquée
Ministère du Développment Rural
Porto Novo, Benin

Madame A. Mendoza & Dr. Andele Karim

Représentant UNICEF
BP 2289
Cotonou, Benin

Cameroon

Dr. Jacob A. Ayuk-Takem

Director of IRA
IRA Nkolbisson
P.O. Box 2123,
Yaoundé (Messa), Cameroon
Tel: (via IITA Cameroon) +237-237 434
email: (via) IITA-Humid@cgnet.com

Mr. Ngoko Zachée

MESIRES
Institut de la Recherche Agronomique
Station de Bambui
Bamenda, Cameroon
Fax (public) +237-363 921
Tel. (Home) +237-363 213

Prof. Peter Ndumbe

Faculty of Medicine
University of Yaoundé 1
BP 8445, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Tel: +237-312 051
Fax: +237-315 178
email: pndumbe@cam.healthnet.org

The Gambia

Mr. M. B. S. Canteh

Agricultural Pest Management Unit
Dept. of Agricultural Services
Yundum Agriculture Station
PO Box 739, Yundum
The Gambia
Fax: +220-495 413

Ghana

Mrs. Eunice Adams,

Agriculturalist Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Dept.
Ministry of Food and Agriculture,
Accra, Ghana
Tel: +233-302 638
Fax: +233-21 666 183

Dr. Korshie Nazzar

c/o Dr. Kofi Ahmed, Director
Public Health Division,
Ministry of Health, PO Box M44,
Accra, Ghana
Tel: +233-662982 or 665421, Ext. 4227
email: Anazzar@GH2.Healthnet.Org

Prof. J. N. Ayertey

Dept. of Crop Science
University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
email: Ayerteyjn@ng.gn.apc.org

Dr. Richard T. Awuah

Plant Pathologist
Dept. of Crop Science,
University of Science & Technology
Kumasi, Ghana

Ms Kafui Kpodo

Food Research Institute,
PO Box M20, Accra, Ghana
Tel: +233-777 330
Fax: +233-21-776510 or 777647

Guinea Conakry

Dr. M. S. Diallo

Institut de Recherche de Biologie
Appliquée de Guinée (IRBAG)
BP 416, Conakry,
République de Guinée

Mr. Mamadi Camara

Chef Division de la
Protection Végétaux
BP 576, Conakry,
République de Guinée

Dr. Koulibaly

Registre des Tumeurs de Guinée
Centre National d'Anatomie Pathologique,
Faculté de Médecine/Pharmacie
Université de Conakry
BP 4152, Conakry,
République de Guinée

Kenya

Dr. D. L. Mwaniki

Medical Research Centre
KEMRI
P.O. Box 20752
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-2 725 016-8
Fax: +254-2 725 012
email: dmwaniki kemri@healthnet.org

Dr. Gilbert N. Kibata

Crop Protection Coordinator
KARI/ODA Crop Protection Project
PO Box 14733
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254-2 444 144
Fax: +254-2 444 144
email: CPP@arcc.permanet.org

Dr. V. M. Nantulya

African Medical & Research Foundation (AMREF)
PO Box 30125
Tel: +254-2 501301/2/3
Fax: +254-2 506 112
Cable: AFRIOUN Nairobi

South Africa

Prof. W. F. O. Marasas

Research Institute for Nutrition
Diseases, Medical Research Council
Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
Tel: +27-21 938 0290
Fax: +27-21 938 0260
email: wmarasas@eagle.mrc.ac.za

Prof. Dr. D. Mugwanya

Dept. of Surgery,
Faculty of Medicine
University of Transkei, Umtata
Fax: +27-471 22436

Dr. (Mrs.) Gita Ramjee

Department of Pediatrics and Child Health
University of Natal
Tel: +27-31 251481
Fax: +27-31 4388
email: ramjee@med.und.ac.za

Togo

Dr. Andreas Stadler, MPH

Chef de GTZ Projet-Soins de Santé Primaires
Région Centrale, BP 283,
Sokode, Togo
Tel/Fax: +228-500 141
or c/o Service Administratif des Projets
BP 7518/12747 Lomé, Togo
Tel: +228-216 634
Fax: +228-211 008

Uganda

Mr. George Bigirwa

Namulonge Research Institute
P.O. Box 7084
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256-241 241
Fax: +256-241 242

IITA

Dr. K. F. Cardwell
Ms Janet Udoh
Mrs. L. N. Dongo
Ms Kerstin Hell
Mr. Mamoudou Setamou
Maximilien Koubè
Josephine Hotègni


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© 1996 International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA)