Gyeongbuk Province Ensures Distribution Food 'Safe from Mycotoxins'... 978 Food Samples Tested in the Last 3 Years

Mycotoxins Cause Respiratory Distress, Acute Gastroenteritis, and Central Nervous System Disorders

Reducing Exposure to Mold Toxins.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwi-yeol] Gyeongbuk Province announced that all 978 processed foods and agricultural, livestock, and marine products distributed in the region from 2020 to June of this year were safe after monitoring three types of mycotoxins.

The institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, analyzed 978 processed foods such as fermented sauces, seasoning products, dairy products, noodles, infant formula, and agricultural, livestock, and marine products including rice, oats, eggs, and anchovies to continuously observe the contamination levels of mycotoxins that can be unintentionally mixed into food.

As a result of the analysis, deoxynivalenol and patulin were not detected at all, and aflatoxin M1 was detected in trace amounts in one milk sample but was safe as it was below the permissible standard.

Mycotoxins are substances produced during the growth process of mold and mainly contaminate food raw materials during cultivation, production, distribution, and storage, eventually affecting processed foods.

Deoxynivalenol is mainly found in cereals, legumes, and nuts; patulin is found in juices made from apples; and aflatoxin M1 is mainly found in dairy products from livestock fed with feed contaminated with aflatoxins.

Mycotoxins can cause respiratory distress, acute gastroenteritis, and disorders of the brain and central nervous system.

Aflatoxins are the most potent toxins and are carcinogens that cause immune system suppression, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer when consumed over a long period.

Baek Ha-ju, director of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Institute of Health and Environment, said, “Since the rainy season is an environment conducive to mold growth, special attention is required for food storage and consumption,” and added, “We will continue to carry out mycotoxin contamination monitoring projects to do our best to ensure the health of the residents.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.