According to a study by the University of Ghana’s Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, some samples of “brukina,” as well as the millet and dairy milk used to make it, had unacceptable amounts of aflatoxins, which, when consumed repeatedly, can lead to cancer.
For the study, ‘brukina’ samples were purchased from ‘brukina’ producers monthly over a period of 7 months.
Twenty-one samples were collected from each site, Nima and Ashaiman in Accra, to be tested.
After testing, the scientists found that 1 sample from Ashaiman and 2 from Nima had high levels of aflatoxin (AFB1) above the acceptable limit.
Twelve (12) dairy milk samples from Ashaiman and 10 from Nima had levels of aflatoxin (AFM1) above the acceptable limit.
Some of the ‘brukina’ samples tested were contaminated with aflatoxin and all doses of aflatoxins have a cumulative effect on the risk of cancer.
Similarly, aflatoxins (AFB1) were found in 2 millet samples from Ashiaman and 6 from Nima.
“Also, farmers and ‘brukina’ producers must be educated on good storage practices and monitored by the regulatory agents to protect the public from aflatoxin exposure and toxicity,” said Prof. Regina Appiah-Opong of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, a Toxicologist and the lead scientist.
Source: Gossips24.com
