Many popular snack foods, including popcorn, corn chips, and cereals, contain mycotoxins, which are toxins produced by mold and fungi that have been linked to organ damage and an increased risk of cancer, according to a new study.
These resilient contaminants can survive high temperatures and, when ingested or absorbed through the skin, have been associated with liver damage and cancer, kidney toxicity, impaired immune function, and developmental abnormalities. Symptoms of poisoning can include severe stomach pain, blurry vision, brain swelling, nausea, and vomiting.
The study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, involved testing urine samples from 33 pregnant women at three different stages of their pregnancies. Researchers from Rutgers University detected at least one mycotoxin in every sample.
Zearalenone, a mycotoxin that mimics the hormone estrogen, was prevalent in most samples. This estrogenic mycotoxin can disrupt the body's hormones and has been associated with pregnancy complications, such as low infant birth weight. The study found that mycoestrogen levels increased in participants who consumed corn and other grain products within 24 hours of providing a urine sample.
"Our findings confirm that grain-based foods are important contributors to mycoestrogen exposure among pregnant women in the US," said lead study author Zorimar Rivera-Núñez. She added that the research also indicated a potential link between ethnicity and mycoestrogen levels, with Hispanic participants reporting higher consumption of corn-based products and exhibiting higher toxin levels compared to non-Hispanic participants.
Identifying groups with higher exposures is a critical first step for our mycoestrogen research program. It helps us understand the factors driving those exposures and provides the information needed to develop strategies that protect maternal and child health," Rivera-Núñez stated.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration includes zearalenone in its Mycotoxin Compliance Program, but it has not established maximum permissible limits for the contaminant in food products. In contrast, the European Commission has set limits for zearalenone in various food categories, including cereals and baked goods.
Mycotoxins are estimated to contaminate about 25 percent of crops globally, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Beyond corn and grains, these toxins can also be found in foods such as apples, celery, dried fruits, peanuts, and rice.
Experts recommend reducing exposure by storing food in clean, dry conditions and avoiding moldy items or products past their "best by" date.