What is Aflatoxin?
Aflatoxin is a type of fungal toxin that is produced when food is moldy. The level of aflatoxin toxicity increases as the amount of mold in the food increases.
Why do dried chili peppers get contaminated with Aflatoxin?
Dried chili peppers, along with corn, peanuts, and soybeans, are all high in oil and protein, making them prone to mold growth and the presence of aflatoxin toxins.
The harmful effects of using dried chili peppers contaminated with Aflatoxin
Consuming a large amount of aflatoxin can cause acute poisoning and lead to rapid death. However, this is rare.
More commonly, the symptoms of poisoning occur with each exposure to a small amount of aflatoxin over a prolonged period of time. Initially, this condition may not cause any discomfort or symptoms, but long-term exposure can have negative effects on various organs in the body, especially internal organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines, and can eventually lead to cancer.
In the case of the liver, aflatoxin can cause acute liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, and necrosis of liver cells, especially with a high risk of liver cancer.
How to ensure health when using dried chili peppers
Dried chili peppers that have been exposed to sunlight can destroy mold and fungal spores, but not completely. Therefore, safe dried chili pepper products must be dried according to standards and stored at temperature and environmental conditions. These products must be produced by reputable establishments, carefully packaged, and clearly labeled with expiration dates.
In addition, consumers should be aware that aflatoxin toxins are not destroyed at high temperatures. Therefore, if mold is detected on food, it should be discarded immediately and not rinsed, cooked, or reused.
Make sure to choose safe dried chili peppers at home for both deliciousness and health of the whole family!
To ensure health for yourself and your family, be a smart consumer. We hope this article helps you understand how to use dried chili peppers safely. Explore more useful articles on our website!
See more:
Reference: Nguyên Hà
