Newlove Akowuah Afoakwah’s research while affiliated with University for Development Studies and other places

The chapter review highlights the effects of ZEA ingestion on humans, as well as its exposure assessments. Available information shows that although there are recommended practices to prevent/reduce ZEA contamination in foods, it is inevitable under the conditions of poor production and storage structures in most developing countries. Limitations in maintaining nutrient value and other sensory characteristics of food, physical and chemical treatments have been successfully applied in reduction. Absorption of ZEA by yeast cell walls and oxidative stress caused by ZEA-reducing enzymes constitute an effective mechanism of detoxification in the biocontrol system. As detoxification of ZEA remains a challenge to global food safety, alternative approaches, including biological agents from biological sources with more treatment stability and persistence, have been explored.

Penicillium expansum produces Patulin (PAT), one of the toxic secondary metabolites in fresh produce and its derived products. Due to its widespread toxicity in foods, PAT is a serious concern for producers, retailers, and consumers. As climatic and storage conditions are conducive to fungal growth, the increased prevalence of PAT is also probable. Therefore, the need to introduce methods that will decrease the PAT levels below the regulatory limit (50 ppb). This review expounds on the existence of PAT in commodities including country, occurrence, regulatory limits, and toxicity. It also illustrated factors and other inducers moderating PAT synthesis. The methods (physical, chemical, and biological) to prevent/reduce contamination and biodegrade PAT. Lastly, the mechanisms of action for PAT decontamination.

Mycotoxins, notably citrinin (CTR) are a danger to human and animal health, and can also affect food security, which may lead to hunger and loss of adequate nutrients for animals and human survival. Due to this, its exposure must be regulated to prevent CTR toxic metabolites from contaminating farmed produce and processed food products. It has been established that CTR toxin is in synergism with patulin, and ochratoxin A, and may lead to the following (nephron-toxic, hepato-toxic, immune-suppression, and carcino-genic) effects. CTR can be found in fruits, grains, animal feeds, and biological samples. CTR exposure may have the potential to damage these organs; the heart, liver, and kidney. It may also affect the entire reproductive system.

The intake of mushrooms has increased recently, for various health reasons. Furthermore, some people ingest particular mushrooms for their hallucinogenic properties, which has resulted in a rise in mushroom poisonings. Particularly, eating of mushrooms collected from the wild may have significant potenteil of exposing consumers to hazardous levels of poisoning. This book chapter reviews the health, nutritive values and noxious substances present in mushrooms. The chapter also will provide information to consumers to assitst in the early detection, investigation, and treatment of mushroom contaminants. Finally, the chapter informs the consumer on how to avoid mushroom poisoning in everyday life. Pleurotus florida, a delightful edible fungus with significant medicinal potential that is widely produced on an economical basis in several parts of the world, belongs to the genus Pleurotus. Amatoxin poisoning, which leads to hepatocellular damage, is a serious problem in the health system in certain countries and could among the commonest reasons for liver transplantation.

In contrast to the Global North, the Global South is characterised by mostly less developed societies or economies in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Post-harvest handling activities and technologies that maintain food quality and ensure food safety are critical in achieving food security and economic empowerment in the Global South. Vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, meat, fish and seafood, dairy and eggs are basic food categories. This chapter aims to furnish insights into the quality attributes and safety standards associated with fresh produce across these food groups. It specifically outlines post-harvest quality and safety standards, with a focus on the Global South, while underscoring sustainable management practices that can enhance the effective handling of fresh foods in this region. The information was sourced from digital scientific databases, electronic journals and relevant books, utilising pertinent key phrases. Concerns related to food safety within these food groups encompass microbial, chemical and physical contaminants on a broad scale. Investigative endeavours focused on post-harvest food quality and safety in the Global South highlight several critical issues influencing the integrity and safety of fresh produce. These issues encompass bacterial infections, specifically Escherichia coli and faecal coliforms, originating from contaminated irrigation water and suboptimal hygiene practices. Additionally, challenges include the incapacity of small and medium-scale farmers to adhere to requisite food safety and quality standards, insufficient proficiency in both pre-harvest and post-harvest practices and technologies, and inadequate infrastructure for the enhancement of overall food quality and safety. The challenges underscore the imperative for a comprehensive and contextually tailored strategy to tackle issues concerning infrastructure, resources and regulatory frameworks. Employing sustainable agricultural practices, adhering to good agricultural practices, implementing good management practices, ensuring suitable infrastructure and upholding quality and safety standards emerge as pivotal strategies for guaranteeing the production of high-quality and safe food in the Global South. The implementation of these strategies mandates a holistic approach that involves active participation from government regulatory bodies, collaboration within the industry and an ongoing commitment to education.

Without a doubt, chronic illnesses have emerged as the predominant cause of death in nearly all nations of the Global South. The prevalence of food-linked non-communicable diseases (NCDs) significantly hinders development. The transition of higher incidence of NCDs from the developed world to the Global South has long been a matter of apprehension for health professionals, public health experts, food scientists, and scholars. This transition has garnered considerable attention, particularly concerning health policies on NCDs, unhealthy dietary habits, and risky behaviours such as lack of exercise, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption. These elements form the basis for crucial new interventions in comprehending NCDs and represent the initial steps towards their prevention. This chapter delves into how food-linked NCDs have taken the forefront as a leading cause of mortality in the Global South, thereby exerting an economic strain. Additionally, it acknowledges and explores how insufficient physical activity, unhealthy eating practices, smoking, and health policies might contribute to the prevalence of NCDs. It also examines how implementing health policies concerning NCDs can help alleviate their incidence and escalating prevalence in the Global South.