Aflatoxin is a toxin from Aspergillus moulds. It harms health and causes shipments to be rejected.
Where it starts
In the field, when crops are stressed by drought and heat or damaged by insects; and after harvest, when grain is slow to dry or stored damp.
Prevention
- Reduce field stress: irrigate at critical stages, control insects, avoid injuring pods and cobs.
- Harvest on time and avoid leaving crops lying in wet fields.
- Dry fast to safe moisture and never store damp.
- Sort out mouldy, shrivelled or damaged kernels; they carry most of the toxin.
- Store clean, cool, dry and off the floor, in good bags, and keep pests out.
Remember
You cannot see or smell toxin reliably, and cooking does not destroy it. Prevention is the only dependable control, and testing helps verify lots.
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