§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what studies have been made to investigate the possible connection between consumption of aflatoxin and liver, kidney and colon tumours in animals and human beings; and what is the current state of knowledge on this issue.
§ Mr. MoyleA number of studies have been carried out in different parts of the world where both contamination of food by aflatoxins and the incidence of liver cancers in humans are high. Although a general correlation has been demonstrated28W it has not been proven that aflatoxin is the causative agent. A study in the United States of the incidence of liver, kidney and colon cancer in humans did not reveal any positive correlation with exposure to aflatoxin. There is no doubt, however, that aflatoxin is a carcinogen in many species of animals, producing tumours of the liver, colon and lungs.