Aflatoxin

[Zoe]

Can you describe or show what you mean?
Dry staples that are not high in fat and that are in sealed containers at room temperature usually aren't going to significantly rancidify on the shelf. Heat, moisture, and oxygen exposure are the main issues.

Well in that pack, I put one spoon in my mouth and there was an absolutely disgusting taste and not like oats at all. Most packs are not like that but as I said above, every pack seems to have tiny holes in it which although I'm told are there to reduce condensation I'd have thought they would have allowed more oxygen in since the packet wouldn't be completely sealed to the air.

Another unrelated issue is food in recycled cardboard packets there has recently been some concern about the use of recycled newspapers in cardboard boxes since there is potential for mineral oils to get into food over time.

As I say, I have been a vegan for about 13 years it's just quite a shock when I read about the risks associated with even some vegan foods although of course this is a lot lower than non-vegan.

[brimstoneSalad]

Well in that pack, I put one spoon in my mouth and there was an absolutely disgusting taste and not like oats at all.

Well, if it's bad then I guess spread it in the grass and birds and bugs will eat it. They don't mind.

Most packs are not like that but as I said above, every pack seems to have tiny holes in it which although I'm told are there to reduce condensation I'd have thought they would have allowed more oxygen in since the packet wouldn't be completely sealed to the air.

Moisture is probably a bigger issue than air for such a low fat food. You probably didn't taste fat rancidity, but some other form of spoilage. I can't say what it was, if it got moist it may have been yeast or Bacillus.

Another unrelated issue is food in recycled cardboard packets there has recently been some concern about the use of recycled newspapers in cardboard boxes since there is potential for mineral oils to get into food over time.

I don't think there's a lot of evidence of risk.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/03March/Pages/mineral-oil-recycled-cereal-boxes.aspx
It sounds like the food industry has already responded to this:
http://www.eupia.org/uploads/tx_edm/2015-12-01_EuPIA_Statement_on_Food_Packaging_made_from_Recycled_Paper.pdf

The only way to really avoid risk from packaging is to grow your own food, but then there are other risks like soil contamination that you have to monitor, and even genetic risks if the plant is cross pollinated with the wrong thing (like toxic zucchini; this is not a risk with commercially grown food which is tested).

As I say, I have been a vegan for about 13 years it's just quite a shock when I read about the risks associated with even some vegan foods although of course this is a lot lower than non-vegan.

Nothing is completely risk-free. The trick is just minimizing risk within reason.

[ThunderKiss65]

The USDA tests food crops for aflatoxins and allows a certain level to be present in food crops. The main culprits being corn, wheat and soy. The FDA tests the actual finished product for the presence of alfatoxins. You really don't have to worry about them. Unless you see visible mold on the food you are about to eat you shouldn't worry about alfatoxins. Now if you used a nut butter grinder at whole foods or another health food store you are at a greater risk of being exposed to a higher amount of alfatoxins because the machines if not cleaned properly will grow mold (aflatoxin) from the left over peanut butter. Keep your peanut butter in the fridge once opened to reduce the risk of mold growing in the peanut butter.


Also kidney beans can very toxic if eaten raw or undercooked. It's not the same as alfatoxins but they can be extremely poisonous if not stored or served properly.

[brimstoneSalad]

Right, never trust one of those nut butter grinders.

The worst possible would be an organic peanut butter grinder in a small health food store.
I don't know why the FDA hasn't cracked down on that yet. There's no reason for it.

Go with the bigger brands of pre-ground peanut butter sealed in jars, that's safest.