Fumonisin B₁contamination of home-grown corn in high-risk areas for esophageal and liver cancer in China

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is reportedly the causative agent of several animal mycotoxicoses and has etiologically been linked to human oesophageal and liver cancer in certain areas of South Africa and China. To study a possible relationship between exposure to FB1 and human cancer risk, the current status of FB1 contamination in food samples in Huaian and Fusui, where incidences of oesophageal and liver cancer are amongst the highest in China, was investigated. A total of 259 corn samples were collected from individual households in five villages of different townships in Huaian during December 2001 and December 2002, and in four villages of different townships in Fusui during May 2001 and May 2002. Corn samples were also collected from individual households…