H test for exclusion: A guide to an intervention approach to lessen the risk of aflatoxin‐contaminated foods in sorely contaminated regions

Abstract

AbstractThis research was done on the assumption that the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development that attributed to the consumption of highly contaminated food (HCF) with aflatoxin, may have a major contribution to the total of expected risk. If this hypothesis is true, it is easy to apply an effective and low‐cost intervention approach by excluding HCF and then subjecting it to treatments before use. To examine this hypothesized, H test for exclusion (Hx) model was developed as a computer program, in order to estimates the daily intake, the margin of exposure, and HCC cases per 105 individuals for selected groups of contaminated food samples. To show how this model works, the model was demonstrated in a real example. The obtained results showed that the actual application of excluding HCF would result in a reduction of the expected cancer cases by 58%. Further, this model illustrates comparisons between permitted and nonpermitted samples with regards to international legislation. The model is particularly suitable for regions where contaminated crops and foods are prevalent. It is also convenient for addressing chronic exposure of commonly consumed food commodities to lower contamination levels.Practical applicationsFor aflatoxin in contaminated crops, the Hx program can be used in order to estimates the daily intake, the margin of exposure (MOE), and the expected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases per 105. Furthermore, it provides a smooth rapprochement between non‐permitted and permitted samples in accordance with international legislation. In fact, the actual application of the model in regions where contaminated crops and foods are predominant can lead to efficient treatments with limited economic losses by excluding HCF.