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Aflatoxin

Definition:

Aflatoxins are toxins produced by a mold that grows in nuts, seeds, and legumes.



Function:

Although aflatoxins are known to cause cancer in animals, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) allows them at low levels because they are considered "unavoidable contaminants" of these foods.

The FDA believes the occasional consumption of small amounts of aflatoxin pose little risk over a lifetime. It is not practical to attempt to remove aflatoxin from food products in order to make them safer.




Review Date: 2/23/2005
Reviewed By: William D. Whetstone M.D., Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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