Exposure of infants to fumonisins in maize-based complementary foods in rural Tanzania

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2009 May;53(5):667-74. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200700488.

Abstract

Feeding children with maize may expose them to fumonisins (FBs). This study assessed FB exposure for infants consuming maize in Tanzania by modeling maize consumption data (kg/kg body weight (bw)/day) with previously collected total FB contamination (microg/kg) patterns for sorted and unsorted maize harvested in 2005 and 2006. Consumption was estimated by twice conducting a 24 h dietary recall for 254 infants. The exposure assessment was performed with the @RISK analysis software. Of the infants, 89% consumed maize from 2.37 to 158 g/person/day (mean; 43 g/person/day +/- 28). Based on the contamination for sorted maize; in 2005, the percentage of infants with FB exposures above the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of 2 microg/kg (bw) (26% (95% confidence interval (CI); 23-30)) was significantly higher than the level of 3% (90% CI; 2-12) in 2006. Pooling the datasets for sorted maize from the two seasons resulted in a seemingly more representative risk (10% (95% CI; 6-17)) of exceeding the PMTDI. However, infants who might have consumed unsorted maize would still be at a significantly higher risk (24% (95% CI; 15-34)) of exceeding the PMTDI. Sorting and other good maize management practices should be advocated to farmers in order to minimize FB exposure in rural areas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Food Contamination*
  • Fumonisins / administration & dosage
  • Fumonisins / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Maximum Tolerated Dose
  • Tanzania
  • Zea mays*

Substances

  • Fumonisins