Study design for dietary intake of aflatoxins of the adult Malaysian population

Abstract

The dietary intake of afl atoxin was targeted at the adult Malaysian population aged to years using the Total Diet Studies (TDS) approach as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Data from the Malaysian Food Consumption Survey in was reviewed and foods were selected based on bibliographical knowledge and on expertise of analysts specialized in the routine analysis of raw and processed products for afl atoxin. Taking into consideration variabilities in contaminants as a result of production and processing, the selected food was split into two food categories namely national food, which encompass processed foods and are likely to contain homogenous levels of contamination with respect to their production and/or processing methods; and regional foods, which are foods that are unprocessed and untransformed and therefore might contain heterogenous levels of contamination resulting from production and/or preparation method specifi c to the region. Based on these criteria, the initial food list consisting of foods were further split into foods categorized as national food and foods categorized as regional food. Food samples from the food list were collected to represent the food consumption pattern and encompass all geographical areas in Malaysia, which included regions (North, Central, South, East, Sabah and Sarawak) with each region having sampling points. Sampling was performed at retail markets to ensure that the sampled products represent the foods available to the public. Collected samples were then prepared as consumed based on individual food composite approach. Analysis of individually composited samples were then carried out using methods that have demonstrated its acceptability including adequacy of its limit of detection, limit of quantifi cation, accuracy and precision. Based on the results of the analysis and information from the food consumption, the dietary exposure and risk from getting liver cancer of the Malaysian adult population will then be estimated.

Dietary intake of aflatoxins in the adult Malaysian population – an assessment of risk

“…These samples were subsequently individually composited for analysis according to geographical regions for food categorised as regional food and individual brands for food categorised as national food. Details of this study's design can be found in Chin and Abdullah (2010).…”

Risk Assessment of Dietary Exposure to Aflatoxin Contamination in Spices

“…In future studies, sample from other areas should be included, and should also include spice samples in fresh or wet form, as well as spices in cooked food ready for consumption. A proper survey of spice intake should be carried out to get the actual amount of daily intake among consumers in Malaysia [49,50].…”