Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Aflatoxins
Summary
Toxins from molds that grow on improperly stored grains, peanuts and corn are associated with increased liver cancer risk.
Detail
Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus moulds that contaminate staple foods (especially maize, peanuts and tree nuts) when stored in warm, humid conditions. IARC classifies aflatoxins as Group 1 with sufficient evidence for liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). Regulated food-safety limits in high-income regions keep dietary exposure low; the highest exposures are in low- and middle-income tropical regions where post-harvest storage favours mould growth.
Regional relevance
regional
Sources
Primary sources
Supporting sources
- ECDC — ECDC — Communicable diseases and cancer risk (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control)
- ACS — ACS — Known and Probable Human Carcinogens
- EPA — US EPA — Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) carcinogen assessments
- NTP — NTP — Report on Carcinogens (US National Toxicology Program)
- WCRF/AICR — WCRF/AICR — Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective (Third Expert Report)
- WCRF/AICR — WCRF — Cancer Prevention Recommendations
Consumer references
Third-party tools some readers use alongside primary evidence. Meyron doesn't endorse them; we link them because you'll otherwise hit them anyway.
- EWG Dirty Dozen (pesticide residues on produce)
Consumer ranking of produce items with the highest pesticide residues.
- California Prop 65 list
State of California's list of chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
- Yuka (packaged-food & cosmetics scanner)
Consumer app that rates packaged-food and cosmetic products.