Fungal toxins in conventional and organic corn across different countries
What it found
Both conventional and organic corn can carry fungal toxins linked to cancer, and the farming method is not the deciding factor.
The authors found contamination above legal limits in many countries.
What they found
Studies in people
Aflatoxins and liver cancer
Aflatoxins, especially a type called AFB1, are linked to high rates of liver cancer. An international cancer agency classifies them as carcinogenic to humans.
Fumonisins and throat cancer
Fumonisins are linked to esophageal cancer. The same cancer agency classifies them as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
Other findings
Toxin levels in conventional corn
Reports from many countries show aflatoxins in conventional corn. Some levels were higher than what local laws set as limits.
Organic versus conventional corn
Comparing organic and conventional corn products from different regions gave mixed results. The authors found that the farming system alone does not decide the final toxin level.
Both toxins appearing together
Finding both aflatoxins and fumonisins in the same corn is a worldwide problem. However, there is little data comparing this combined exposure between organic and conventional systems.
What the authors conclude
- They say the type of farming is not the main factor that decides how much toxin ends up in the corn.
- They call for better strategies to lower contamination and combined exposure to levels that do not pose health risks.
How it was done
Fungi that grow on corn produce toxins called aflatoxins and fumonisins, which are linked to liver and throat cancers. The authors wanted to compare how often these toxins appear in conventionally grown versus organically grown corn.
The authors gathered and compared reports from many countries on toxin levels in conventional and organic corn. They looked at both the raw grain and products made from it. They also checked how often both toxins appeared together.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This work gathers existing reports rather than testing people directly. It cannot prove that eating contaminated corn caused cancer in any specific person.
- Because results varied by region, these findings may not match the corn sold in your local shop.
The paper
- Title
- Aflatoxins and fumonisins in conventional and organic corn: a comprehensive review
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Gomes AL, Petrus RR, de Sousa RLM, Fernandes AM (2024). Aflatoxins and fumonisins in conventional and organic corn: a comprehensive review. Food additives & contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment. doi:10.1080/19440049.2024.2330092PubMed 38530071DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error