Aflatoxin B1, classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization, is 68 times more toxic than arsenic and 10 times more toxic than potassium cyanide, causing severe damage to liver tissue. Just 1 milligram of aflatoxin is a carcinogenic dose. For a healthy adult weighing 70 kg, an intake of 20 milligrams of aflatoxin can be fatal. This terrifying, highly toxic carcinogen exists in our daily lives. Where exactly is it found, and how can it be eliminated? I hope today's sharing can increase your awareness and attention to aflatoxin.
Where exactly is aflatoxin found in our daily lives?
Aflatoxin is most likely to appear in warm and humid environments and can induce diseases such as liver, stomach, and intestinal cancer. Due to the relatively humid kitchen environment, combined with the grease in oil stains, which provides food for bacterial decomposition as an organic substance, the hot and oily conditions inside a range hood can accelerate bacterial growth, producing aflatoxin and other pathogens. Specifically, where is it hidden in the kitchen? Let's find out together!
○ Moldy food
Aflatoxin最喜欢藏在发霉的食物里，尤其是淀粉含量高的食物，尤其是淀粉含量高的花生、玉米、豆类等食物。在高温和潮湿的环境下，会滋生导致肝癌的黄曲霉毒素。如果有一颗花生霉变，整包花生都要扔掉。黄曲霉菌是以孢子形式传播的，食物极易牵连霉变。
因此，建议大家每次少买点，不要“存”，以免霉变；家里有食物残渣的边边角角，也要清洗干净。食物发霉后最好选择扔掉，不要想着二次食用给家禽家畜，以防通过食物链进入人体吸收。
如果无法判断食物是否已经变质的情况下，不妨借用紫外线查明真相。将食物存入黑暗房间，用验钞机照射，如果食物发出了蓝紫色、绿色的荧光就能证明有黄曲霉素的存在了。你可以在食用之前用1%的小苏打（碳酸氢钠）泡上一段时间再食用。黄曲霉素在碱性条件下比较容易分解，想要吃的放心不妨这样做。
○ Bitter nuts
If you taste bitter melon seeds, almonds, or other nuts, be sure to spit them out promptly and rinse your mouth. The bitterness of these nuts comes from the aflatoxin produced during the mold process. Frequent consumption increases the risk of liver cancer.
○ Soaked black fungus for several days
There was such a news report: A consumer in Ruian, Zhejiang, suffered from food poisoning after eating black fungus that had been soaked for three days, leading to multiple organ failure and a critical condition. The doctor's diagnosis was that this was a serious consequence caused by microbial toxins.
During the soaking process, black fungus can produce aflatoxin and patulin. Therefore, it is recommended in daily life to soak only as much black fungus as you plan to eat, and not to soak it for several days.
○ Uncleaned chopsticks
Chopsticks themselves do not grow aflatoxin mold, but when used to eat high-starch foods like corn and peanuts, starch can easily get trapped in them. Over time, this can lead to mold and produce aflatoxin. Bare or lacquered chopsticks are prone to cracking, where food residue can get trapped, leading to aflatoxin production. The best choice is iron chopsticks, as they are unlikely to crack and therefore won't trap food residue. Also, remind everyone to soak chopsticks for a while before washing to soften any food residue, making it easier to clean.
Wooden chopsticks are favored in many families, but please be reminded that if they are not used or cleaned properly, they can become a standard carcinogen. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to chopstick hygiene. Be sure to disinfect chopsticks regularly. After a week of use, sprinkle them with vinegar or salt, rinse them clean, and let them dry before using again. For health reasons, they should also be replaced regularly, preferably every six months.
○ Cutting board
We use cutting boards every day, but if some have cracks and are not thoroughly washed after use, residual bacteria can remain inside. If mold grows on them, it can produce some carcinogenic substances, especially aflatoxin. Once ingested by the human body, aflatoxin can reside in liver cells and may eventually develop into liver cancer. Experts recommend replacing a cutting board every year.
○ Oil from small-scale workshops
Generally, the pressing machines in small-scale workshops or household oil presses have simple processes and lack the technology to remove harmful substances. They cannot refine raw materials, so it is impossible to pick out peanuts that have aflatoxin on their shells or even inside, which appear normal. If the raw materials are moldy, the pressed oil may also contain aflatoxin. Therefore, it is still recommended to purchase from large supermarkets and well-known brands.