What is this toxin that caused a massive reminder of small pots? On Friday, April 18, Nestlé for baby dishes sold since September 2024 in almost all large distribution brands and throughout France have been removed from the market. The cause: they contain ocratoxin A, a dangerous toxin for health.
This is not the first time that reminders linked to this particular toxin have occurred. Last year, organic figs were affected. In 2023, they were coffee packages. Two years earlier, it was suspected that Basmati rice contained a significant amount.
Cereals, dried fruits, coffee, wine
Ocratoxin A, also called Ota, is a mycotoxin. “Mycotoxins are toxic compounds naturally produced by certain types of mold,” explains the World Health Organization (WHO). This means that they are produced by microscopic fungi.
“Oratoxine A is produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium (fungi, editor’s note) and pollution by this mycotoxin is common in food,” the WHO continues. It happens that this toxin is found in cereals, canned meats, fresh and dry fruits, spices, coffee, wine or cheese.
A toxin that can appear in different stages of product production, from harvest to packaging. “The development of molds can occur before or after the harvest, during conservation, in food itself in a hot, humid and humid environment,” said the UN agency.
Genotoxic and carcinogen
A mycotoxin that is known for its potential danger in human health. “New data (…) suggest that OTA can be genotoxic directly damaging the DNA”, The European Food Security Authority (EFSA) warns. His experts also confirmed that he could be carcinogenic for the kidney.
In animals, studies have also been carried out in the mouse, rat, rabbit and pork and have demonstrated “undesirable effects” of OTA, still points to EFSA.
Among the “several general signs of toxicity” observed in these species: histopathological lesions (that is, in tissues), renal tumors, immunotoxicity (any adverse effect for the immune system), neurotoxicity or even development effects.
“Not clear” mechanisms
The European Food Security Authority specifies that gray areas remain in this mycotoxin. “The genotoxicity mechanisms are not clear,” he warns, asking for new studies. Because its “modes of genotoxic and non -genotoxic and indirect genotoxic action could contribute to the formation of tumors.”
This is confirmed by Jean-Pierre Gangneux, head of the Parasitology Mycology Service of the Hospital of the University of Rennes.
“We do not know what triggers the synthesis of mycotoxins by certain molds,” he told BFMTV.com.
Especially because, if there are many standards for the presence of ocratoxin A in food, there is no threshold from which the exposure is considered dangerous. “There is no value that we can predict that it will be the cause of cancer,” adds Jean-Pierre Gangneux.
No alarmist message
But according to him, the notion of this mycotoxin is mainly due to the “cumulative effect” of a long -term exposure. Also an Inserm researcher at the Institute for Health, Environment and Work Research, Jean-Pierre Gangneux invites not to send an “alarmist message.”
“The problem arises more as part of a massive and prolonged exposure through an uncontrolled diet, which is not the case in Europe.”
The researcher also demands fungi “does not fear.” “Either in the air we breathe, during a trip in the forest or in the hay given to the horses, they are everywhere.”
If you recognize that “under certain conditions and with certain molds”, in fact, there is a health risk, Jean-Pierre Gangneux recalls that there are preventive strategies, such as actions or the use of fungicides. “And all molds do not give ochratoxin A, like Roquefort.”
Source: BFM TV
