An “alarming” number of 400 dogs have died in Zambia in the past month after eating contaminated corn, Zambia’s health minister said, adding that humans may also be at risk.
Elijah Muchima announced that about half of the 25 samples collected from the milling company were found to contain extremely high levels of aflatoxin, a poisonous substance produced by fungi.
Maize is a staple food in Zambia and Mr Muchmi said the test results were “very concerning because of its multiple health effects”. [the] population”.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says there is evidence that aflatoxin can cause liver cancer in humans.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the country’s maize supply after Zambian broadcaster Diamond TV discovered dozens of dogs had died from aflatoxin poisoning.
It is suspected that they died after eating dog food containing contaminated corn.
During the investigation, authorities took samples from 10 milling companies that produce corn dog food and also process the grain into cornmeal for human consumption.
The Department of Health has not reported any human deaths caused by contaminated corn. However, sources at Zambia’s National Institute of Public Health said they were currently trying to determine whether the spoiled grain had impacted the public.
Mushimi said that following an investigation by the authorities, the “affected batches” of corn flour had been recalled and seizure notices had been issued to the “affected companies”. He did not name the companies or any specific brand of cornmeal.
Prior to Diamond TV’s report, only dog food processing company Farmfeed had recalled products.
Muchimi told a news conference on Tuesday that the effects of climate change and Zambia’s recent drought “have exacerbated the occurrence of aflatoxin this season”.
Like much of southern Africa, Zambia suffered a severe drought earlier this year. An estimated one million subsistence farmers in the country have had their crops damaged and maize supplies remain severely insufficient.
Corn provides about 60% of the population’s daily calorie intake, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raising concerns among politicians and the public about contaminated batches.
“The government says 400 dogs have died due to toxins in certain brands of products. [maize] A meal. I’m a victim too. I’ve lost over 6 big dogs in one week,” opposition MP Sunday Chanda wrote on social media platform X.
“The government says it’s ‘still investigating the spread of poisonous corn.’ Look, bad stuff [maize] The food is still being eaten outside!
Another Zambian X user questioned why the health minister did not list the brands of maize meal being recalled.
“We have a right to know what we feed our families,” they wrote.
The Zambia Mills Association, which represents milling companies across the country, said its businesses were working to ensure the issue was resolved and the public kept safe.
“We are still investigating the origin of this contaminated grain and have stepped up monitoring of the products on the market,” said Andrew Chintala, president of the association.
“We haven’t done much testing for aflatoxin before because this is the first time we’ve encountered high levels of aflatoxin and we’re still investigating the cause.”
The government has also expanded surveillance nationwide and stepped up sampling, Mr. Muchimi said.
Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya is a Zambian journalist Diamond TV originally reported the dog’s death
