APTECA Leads Push for Proactive Aflatoxin Control as Africa’s Milling Industry Tightens Food Safety Standards

Africa’s grain milling industry is undergoing a significant transformation in the fight against aflatoxin contamination, with the African Proficiency Testing and Certification Association (APTECA) spearheading renewed efforts to strengthen food safety systems and expand proficiency testing across the continent.

Industry stakeholders say the shift from reactive crisis management to proactive risk prevention marks a turning point in consumer protection, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children.

Millers affiliated with the Cereal Millers Association (CMA) have in recent years substantially increased investments in food safety infrastructure. The emphasis is now on preventing contaminated maize from entering the food chain, rather than responding after exposure has already occurred.

Key improvements across the sector include routine aflatoxin testing, implementation of internationally recognized food safety management systems such as ISO 22000 and HACCP, enhanced supplier monitoring, strengthened laboratory capacity, improved traceability mechanisms, and regular proficiency testing to ensure testing accuracy.

“Quality has a cost, but it protects health,” industry representatives note, arguing that the long-term benefits of compliance outweigh short-term savings.

Understanding the Aflatoxin Threat

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi commonly found in soil. Contamination can occur during harvesting, particularly when maize is immature or inadequately dried, when grain is placed directly on soil instead of tarpaulins, or under poor storage conditions. The toxins are often concentrated in the outer layer of the maize kernel.

Climate change is compounding the challenge. Drought stress increases fungal growth, while rising temperatures accelerate aflatoxin formation, making food safety risks more severe and more frequent across the region.

Public health experts warn that children are especially vulnerable to aflatoxin exposure. When combined with poor nutrition, contaminated food can contribute to stunted growth, weakened immunity, and reduced cognitive performance.

The quality of food consumed today, experts caution, has long-term implications for health outcomes, education performance, and economic productivity.

Posho Milling Versus Commercial Milling

Small-scale “posho” milling remains popular due to its affordability, accessibility, and support for local economies. However, experts caution that it can carry significant food safety risks if maize quality and hygiene standards are not strictly observed.

Aflatoxin survives the milling process. If moldy or poorly stored maize is milled, contamination remains in the flour, potentially exposing entire households. Risks associated with informal milling include the absence of routine aflatoxin testing, hygiene concerns, cross-contamination from previous customers’ grain, lack of fortification, and no traceability or recall systems.

In contrast, large-scale commercial millers operate under stricter regulatory oversight, including mandatory aflatoxin testing and compliance with standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

These millers are required to fortify flour with essential nutrients such as iron and zinc, maintain trained laboratory staff, and undergo regular certification audits and inspections. Traceability systems enable product recalls if safety concerns arise.

Industry leaders argue that while these investments increase production costs, they provide accountability and long-term health protection for consumers.

Helping Consumers Make Safer Choices

Consumers are urged to remain vigilant when purchasing both loose and packaged flour. Flour should be avoided if it smells musty, appears damp or clumped, contains visible mold specks, or shows signs of insect contamination.

When buying packaged flour, consumers are advised to look for the KEBS S-Mark, fortification logos, clear labeling including batch numbers and expiry dates, storage instructions, and intact, sealed packaging. Extremely low prices may signal the absence of testing, fortification, or traceability safeguards.

“The cheapest flour can become the most expensive in the long run,” stakeholders warn, citing potential healthcare costs and long-term impacts on family well-being.

Nutrition Beyond Safety

Beyond aflatoxin control, food fortification remains central to improving public health outcomes. Organizations such as TechnoServe are working with millers across nearly 30 countries to strengthen food systems and combat malnutrition through private-sector partnerships.

Through initiatives like Millers for Nutrition, stakeholders aim to improve the nutritional quality of staple foods and reach up to one billion people by 2026. The coalition provides technical assistance to millers, enhances operational efficiency, and recognizes top-performing companies advancing micronutrient fortification.

Experts note that malnutrition continues to impose significant economic costs by affecting productivity, healthcare spending, and educational attainment, reinforcing the importance of fortified, safe staple foods.

APTECA emphasizes that food safety is a shared responsibility across the value chain. Farmers are encouraged to properly dry maize, use safe storage methods, and avoid selling visibly moldy grain. Consumers can strengthen safe markets by supporting compliant brands, sharing accurate information, and reporting concerns responsibly.

“Informed consumers strengthen safe markets,” APTECA representatives say, underscoring that protecting Africa’s food supply requires collaboration among farmers, millers, regulators, development partners, and households alike.

As Africa’s milling industry shifts toward proactive food safety systems, stakeholders say the message is clear: protecting public health begins long before flour reaches the table.

Read Also: Take Adequate Measures To Contain Aflatoxin Maize