Mycotoxins in complementary foods consumed by infants and young children within the first 18 months of life

This study assessed the profiles of mycotoxins and other contaminants present in complementary foods consumed by Nigerian infants and young children (IYC) within the first 18 months of life. In total, 92 complementary foods and one herbal mixture collected at 3-months interval were subjected to LC/MS-MS analysis. Aflatoxin B1 contaminated ogi and tombran at mean levels of 3.5 ± 2.0 and 5.3 ± 2.0 μg/kg, which are 35 and 53 times higher, respectively, than the EU threshold of 0.1 μg/kg set for baby food. Fumonisin B1 contaminated all family cereal, 29% of another maize-based food (nutribom), 47% of ogi, 67% of tombran and the only gote sample at mean concentrations of 56 ± 5.42, 7.55 ± 2.52, 25 ± 4.97, 25.4 ± 5.16 and 41.5 μg/kg, respectively. Fumonisins co-occurred with AFB1 in 10% of the complementary foods. Other mycotoxins detected include citrinin and beauvericin, which contaminated 25% and 63% of the food samples, respectively. Interestingly, cereulide contaminated six food samples, from two participants across different sampling points. Estimated hypothetical daily intake using deterministic approach suggest chronic aflatoxin exposure in IYC between month 6 and 18. Mothers/caregivers are encouraged to adhere strictly to mycotoxin preventive measures such as good storage practices as well as good hygiene practices during IYC food preparation and feeding.