APAARI Secretariat is happy to announce that it has bagged a new project preparation grant (PPG) from Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) of WTO on “Managing aflatoxin contamination in Asia using One Health”. The PPG would be implemented from January 2023 in collaboration with the key implementing partners IITA, ILRI, CABI, and the University of Minnesota. The PPG is first of its kind to integrate the concept of One-Health on aflatoxin management in Asia. APAARI will be taking the lead in consultations and reporting to STDF by establishing technical linkages with country partners and experts, conducting country assessment and preparing briefing papers. Synergies with other aflatoxin mitigation projects implemented in the region will be explored during the PPG implementation.
Aflatoxin mitigation has become a critical subject of Codex Alimentarius Commission (World Trade Organization’s standard setting organization) which provides guidance for Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of food and feed contaminants (e.g., aflatoxins) and additives in traded plant material/food products for compliance by countries in domestic and international trade. Much work has been done by experts globally but in a sectorial way only.
Illustration of aflatoxin interactions between plant, animal and human health
Mitigating aflatoxin exposure in a comprehensive way requires employing a One Health approach to protect human, plant, and animal health. Prevention and mitigation of aflatoxin contamination of food and feed is critical, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that often lack the expertise and infrastructure to effectively prevent and interdict aflatoxin contamination. It is crucial to achieve positive health, trade, and income outcomes. Aflatoxin mitigation in LMICs requires multi-pronged, economically feasible, integrated approaches supported by both the private and public sectors.
The purpose of this PPG is to develop a project proposal for consideration by STDF with the core-idea of raising awareness on One Health approach to mitigate aflatoxin along the value chain in Asia and take appropriate measures by engaging diverse stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. The final output of this PPG would be the development of a project proposal/document for STDF, including detailed mitigation action approaches for aflatoxin management considering environmental, plant, animal and human health aspects.
