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Review
. 2019 Jul 14;11(7):410.
doi: 10.3390/toxins11070410.

Aflatoxin Binders in Foods for Human Consumption-Can This be Promoted Safely and Ethically?

Sara Ahlberg  1   2 , Delia Randolph  3 , Sheila Okoth  4 , Johanna Lindahl  5   6   7
Affiliations
Review

Aflatoxin Binders in Foods for Human Consumption-Can This be Promoted Safely and Ethically?

Sara Ahlberg et al. Toxins (Basel). .

Abstract

Aflatoxins continue to be a food safety problem globally, especially in developing regions. A significant amount of effort and resources have been invested in an attempt to control aflatoxins. However, these efforts have not substantially decreased the prevalence nor the dietary exposure to aflatoxins in developing countries. One approach to aflatoxin control is the use of binding agents in foods, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been studied extensively for this purpose. However, when assessing the results comprehensively and reviewing the practicality and ethics of use, risks are evident, and concerns arise. In conclusion, our review suggests that there are too many issues with using LAB for aflatoxin binding for it to be safely promoted. Arguably, using binders in human food might even worsen food safety in the longer term.

Keywords: Aflatoxins; binding; biocontrol; food discipline; food safety.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The most likely application chain for binder method applied in informal markets focusing strongly to the consumer actually taking the risk. Implementation of binding method in formal markets would be highly unlikely as the approach conflicts strongly against the regulatory allowable limits set to the aflatoxins. Informal and formal markets currently are not equal and should be merged into formal markets to enable the same food safety standards, economic growth, and new value chains in one coherent food production system.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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