Food poisoning alert: Aflatoxin risks in 'zgougou' and dried fruits ahead of Mouled

As Tunisia approaches the Mouled celebration, health authorities are urging consumers to exercise extreme caution when purchasing "zgougou" (a traditional chickpea-based paste) and dried fruits. The primary concern is contamination by aflatoxins, toxic substances produced by certain molds that thrive in warm, humid conditions.

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aflatoxins are toxins produced by certain molds that develop especially in warm and humid environments.

Youssef Hamdouni, a global health specialist and World Health Organization (WHO) expert on food safety, advised avoiding informal points of sale. He explained that poor storage conditions at such locations significantly increase the risk of contamination. Repeated exposure to aflatoxins can lead to severe liver damage, weaken the immune system, and, in the long term, elevate the risk of liver cancer.

While "zgougou" is a popular treat during Mouled, contamination occurs when it is stored improperly. Hamdouni reassured that official analyses by health control structures consistently show that "zgougou" sold through legal and regulated channels is largely free of aflatoxins and meets current standards. The main risk lies with seeds of unknown origin or those stored for extended periods in damp, unsanitary environments.

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official analyses regularly carried out by health control structures show that the majority of zgougou samples marketed through legal and regulated channels are free of aflatoxins and comply with current standards.

Consumers are advised to purchase "zgougou" and dried fruits from businesses and vendors subject to health inspections. They should prioritize packaged products with clear labeling, including expiration dates. Before buying, consumers must visually inspect products, rejecting any showing signs of mold, moisture, insects, or unusual changes in color, smell, or appearance. Hamdouni stressed that aflatoxins are not visible to the naked eye and require laboratory analysis for confirmation, though visual checks can indicate poor storage.

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aflatoxins cannot be detected with the naked eye nor by a simple home check. Their presence can only be confirmed by laboratory analysis.