WORLDWIDE SURVEY OF FUMONISIN CONTAMINATION OF CORN AND CORN-BASED PRODUCTS

As part of a comprehensive risk assessment study for fumonisins, relia ble data on exposure of populations to these dietary toxins must be ob tained. To assess the extent of worldwide exposure, the published lite rature on the contamination of food and feed supplies has been reviewe d and supplemented with unpublished material from various internationa l sources, Fumonisin contamination of corn and corn-based products occ urs in many countries. Animal mycotoxicoses such as equine leukoenceph alomalacia and porcine pulmonary edema are caused by heavily contamina ted animal feeds. For example, as much as 330 mu g/g fumonisin B-1 (FB 1) has been found in swine feed, Although commercially available refin ed corn products for human consumption are generally contaminated at l evels below 1 mu g/g FB1, individual products in certain countries can reach far higher levels. Health risks associated with consumption of these products depend on the extent to which they are consumed in a va ried diet. Home-grown corn in certain rural areas, where it also const itutes the staple diet, can be contaminated at >100 mu g/g. Consumptio n of corn contaminated at these high levels has been associated with a high incidence of esophageal cancer in these areas.