A 60-year-old woman in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, recently experienced vomiting and diarrhea and sought urgent medical care. Doctors discovered a large accumulation of aflatoxins—a toxic substance linked to liver cancer—in her stomach. Upon further inquiry, it was revealed that the woman had been using the same pair of wooden chopsticks for five years to save money. Fortunately, after treatment, she has recovered and been discharged.
Aflatoxins are known carcinogens and one of the main causes of liver cancer. They commonly contaminate peanuts and peanut products, grains, nuts, beans, dairy, dried goods, pickled and canned foods, sweet potato starch, flour, coffee beans, and even some herbal medicines if not properly sealed or refrigerated.
Moreover, if contaminated corn or grains are used as feed for chickens, ducks, fish, cattle, or pigs, their internal organs may also contain higher levels of aflatoxins. Long-term consumption of these contaminated foods can increase the risk of liver cancer, especially for individuals with hepatitis B or C infections or carriers of the viruses.
Experts advise the public to pay close attention to food storage and hygiene practices to reduce exposure to aflatoxins.
