1. Aflatoxins Challenge in Tanzania
Dr. Martin E. Kimanya
Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
Regional Workshop on the Aflatoxin Challenge in Eastern and Southern Africa, Lilongwe-Malawi, March 2014

2. Occurrence aflatoxins in cereal and oil crop harvests of 1987 and 1988 in Tanzania
No of Samples
Positive samples(%)
Samples above ML (%)
Maize
472
11.2
52.8
Groundnuts
202
50.0
90.1
Sunflower seed oil
129
28.6
71.4
ML = 20 µg/kg

3. Occurrence aflatoxins in other foods in Tanzania
Aflatoxin M1 in cow’s milk, determined in 92% of samples at levels ranging from 0.005–0.855 µg/kg
Aflatoxin B1 in Fish, at levels ranging from 7-19 µg/kg
Aflatoxin B1 in opaque beer, at µg/L

5. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in breast milk: occurrence, percentage of the milk exceeding EU MLs
Lactation stage M1 M3 M5
Number of samples
144
122
121
Range (ng/ml)
Median (ng/ml)
0.07
0.08
% exceeding 0.025ng/mla 96 91
a: EU limit for AFM1 contamination in infants food

6. Prevalence and levels of AF-alb in young children
Survey point
Prevalence (%)
Mean Level (pg/ml)
Recruitment 67
4.7
6 months after recruitment 84
12.9
12 months after recruitment 99
23.5

7. What are the potential solutions for aflatoxin control in Tanzania
The Tanzania performs a country and economic assessment in 2012 with PACA support
Tanzanian stakeholders came together at the aflatoxin stakeholders’ workshop (co-organized by TFDA and Abt Associates)
Actions plans that support adoption of the priority control strategies were sketched out
The National Forum for Mycotoxins Control, with a supporting steering committee

8. Priority Control Strategies for Agriculture
Continue to measure, test, and assess the scale of the problem
Promote and make available good agricultural/management practices
Develop bio-control for Tanzania, keeping in mind the cost implications for poorer farmers
Continue research efforts for breeding maize, groundnuts, and other crops for mycotoxin resistance, for availability in the longer time horizon

9. Priority Control Strategies for Trade
Shape the marketplace to improve awareness of the presence and risks of aflatoxin in the food and feed system and create market-based incentives for safer food
Improve the formaulation and application of standards relating to aflatoxins in domestic markets
Improve policies and procedures for product withdrawal
Improve suitability for commerce or trade of susceptible products.

10. Priority Control Strategies for Public Health
Promote proper food handling, processing, and preparation to reduce mycotoxin contamination
Achieve universal vaccinations for HBV since liver cancer risk is 30 times higher in HBV-positive populations
Routinely monitor mycotoxins in cereal-based weaning foods

11. Priority Control Strategies for Policy Reform
Recommend review and finalization of various policies eg. (1) National Food Security Policy, (2) National Food Safety Policy, (3) National Nutrition Policy
Coordinate with relevant ministries and institutions and propose mycotoxin levels for feed
Ensure that priority strategies and action plans are included in the business plans of relevant departments and institutions within line ministries

12. Priority Control Strategies for Policy Reform
Raise awareness from the community level up to the decision makers
Support more research to fill the current gaps in aflatoxin prevalence
Develop and agree on a data collection protocol and require that results from research conducted in Tanzania be shared with the national government and entered into a centralized database

13. `
Thank you