Aflatoxin load of common food in savanna and forest regions of Nigeria.

Aflatoxin, one of the most widespread of the known carcinogens, is present at a high level in most common foods stored poorly for long periods in Nigeria. It may work synergistically with other carcinogens to produce the high incidence of primary liver cancer seen in young men under the age of 40. In the northern savanna areas cereals, especially sorghum and millets, as well as groundnut products are the high risk foods. In the southern forest areas, dried fish, groundnuts and oil palm products often carry unwholesome quantities of aflatoxin. Public health measures aimed at reducing the aflatoxin load in high risk foods identified should now be actively considered.