Improving the control of aflatoxin-contaminated foods in Haiti
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Resumen
In Haiti, a high percentage of the population is exposed to aflatoxins — poisonous and cancer-causing chemicals growing in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains. They are regularly found among staple food commodities such as peanuts, and enter the food supply when processed.Más información
In Haiti, a high percentage of the population is exposed to aflatoxins — poisonous and cancer-causing chemicals growing in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains. They are regularly found among staple food commodities such as peanuts, and enter the food supply when processed. Children are particularly affected by aflatoxin exposure, which leads to stunted growth, delayed development, and liver-related diseases.
Laval University will lead this project, which aims to reduce risk to aflatoxin contamination in peanuts among the Haitian population by applying proven control solutions during the harvest, drying, storage, sorting, and processing stages. Factors influencing the adoption of control methods by farmers, harvesters, transporters, artisanal, and commercial peanut processors and other actors of the value chain will be identified through a characterization of the peanut value chain. The project will also design a safe and economically viable non-food/feed-related value chain for rejected aflatoxin-contaminated peanuts.
Researchers will promote cooperation between public and private organizations in reducing aflatoxin contamination and the population’s exposure to contaminated foods. Sustainability of the project’s impacts will be enhanced by improving the capacity of Haitian universities to carry out research on aflatoxin control. It will also be enhanced by improving the capacity of national institutions to monitor contamination levels and to inform policies and interventions in favour of population health and food safety. Women and families will be the subjects of particular attention throughout the study.
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Resultados de la investigación Opens in new tab
Aflatoxins in crops pose a risk to food safety and have been detected in samples of Haitian peanuts. Using an interdisciplinary commodity chain approach, this paper examines the factors that increase the likelihood of aflatoxin contamination in the country's peanut supply. The results indicate that contamination risk is influenced by political, organizational, institutional, socio-economic, technological, and environmental constraints. A systemic analysis was performed to examine how such factors affect the quality of peanuts as they pass through the commodity chain. The results of our study offer broad insights into the challenges of preventing aflatoxins and protecting food safety in Haiti.
The AFLAH project designed and tested strategies for disseminating and promoting effective aflatoxin control methods among women and men stakeholders in the peanut value chain, and supported public institutions in ensuring the safety of peanuts and their by-products. Although pre- and post-harvest technologies for aflatoxin control (such as the use of tarpaulins and the sorting of contaminated kernels and grains) are well known, the factors that influence the adoption of these methods need thorough investigation. Aflatoxins are various poisonous carcinogens and mutagens that are produced by certain molds. When contaminated food is processed or consumed, the aflatoxins enter the general food supply. This detailed document is in English and French, including Annex reports and resources.
This full report by “Meds and Foods for Kids (MFK Haiti)” synthesizes results of a detailed survey of the economic and social status of women peanut farmers; their roles and responsibilities; and knowledge among women farmers regarding the impact of aflatoxin on family health, including knowledge about aflatoxin contamination. The long form written report is in French. The survey data is in English. MFK works to end child malnutrition in Haiti. Therapeutic foods are distributed to clinics, orphanages, and schools nationwide to treat and prevent malnutrition in children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers.
