The storage method of each food varies according to what is in it. Especially when storing foods such as almonds, walnuts, nuts, dried fruits and chili peppers, it is necessary to avoid humid and hot environments. Ali Manavoğlu, Head of the Antalya Branch of the Chamber of Food Engineers, stated that improperly stored foods endanger health. It has been understood that aflatoxin, which occurs with molds in products such as nuts and spices stored in humid and warm environments, is very harmful to health and can cause death.
“AFLATOXIN CAN CAUSE DEATH WHEN CONSUMED IN HIGH DOSES”
Explaining that it is known that there are over 200 types of mold in nature, Manavoğlu said, “Aflatoxin occurs as a result of contamination of these molds with food or feed. Aflatoxin, which is encountered in foods such as almonds, walnuts, nuts, dried fruits and chili peppers stored in humid environments, is a harmful substance for human health. “When aflatoxin is consumed in high doses, it can lead to death,” he said.
YOU MUST STORE IN A COOL AND DRY ENVIRONMENT
Stating that aflatoxin is likely to be seen in dried fruits stored in humid environments, Manavoğlu said, “It is not easy to get rid of it. It does not go with a heat treatment, because it is a toxic substance that can withstand temperatures of 200-300 degrees. That’s why we absolutely need to store these products in cool and dry environments because molds can reproduce in humid and hot environments. Producers of dried fruits should apply a dry and cool environment and appropriate packaging from production to storage and transportation.
EVEN IF MOLD IS NOT VISIBLE, MOLD MAY GROW INSIDE
Stating that the storage and logistics conditions of the products should be done correctly, Manavoğlu said, “As we store legumes, we need to store these products in dry and cool places without moisture. Even if there is no visible mold on these products, there may actually be mold growth there. That’s why we have to be very careful about the storage conditions,” he said.
HARMFUL TO BOTH PEOPLE AND ANIMALS
Pointing out that aflatoxin is harmful to both animal and human health, Manavoğlu said, “If the feed consumed by animals is not stored in appropriate conditions, this can lead to the reproduction of molds. It will also have a detrimental effect on the health of animals consuming such feeds. E.g; The milk of a cow that consumes this feed will also be contaminated with aflatoxin. The fact that this milk is put into production without analysis means that the products produced from this milk also have aflatoxin. This will be harmful for human and animal health in consumption.” said. (DHA)