AFLATOXINS AND OCHRATOXIN-A IN THE WEANING FOOD OF NIGERIAN CHILDREN

A total of 48 samples of maize-based gruels, used as weaning food for children, were taken daily from hospital meals and from patients' moth ers while their children were on admission at the Wesley Guild Hospita l, Ilesha, Nigeria. These samples were analysed for aflatoxins and och ratoxin A. Twelve samples (25%) were positive for aflatoxins (concentr ation range 2-19716 pg/g) but only four (8%) were positive for ochrato xin (concentration range 142-6516 pg/g). In the majority, the concentr ations were relatively low, only two having aflatoxin and one ochratox in A levels greater than 1000 pg/g. It is concluded that, unlike aflat oxin, ochratoxin A contamination is unlikely to present a major health hazard to the newly weaned child in this area of Nigeria.