Director of PCDIC Participates in Workshop about Food Toxins in Turkey

Dr. Ansam Sawalha, the Director of the Poison Control and Drug Information Center (PCDIC) participated in a workshop about toxins in food that was held in Istanbul, Turkey. Emphasis was on aflatoxins, which is a mycotoxin produced by some fungi that can contaminate nuts, grains, peanut butter, beans, and other food commodities. The workshop was held at the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Tureky (TUBITAK) and was organized and sponsored by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA). Major topics in the workshop included the adverse effects of mycotoxins on humans; laws and legislations pertaining to mycotoxins; methods to decrease mycotoxins in food during harvesting, processing, and beyond; methods of mycotoxin detection; rule of light and humidity in mycotoxin levels, amongst others.Based on her research in this area, Dr. Sawalha gave a presentation entitled “Aflatoxin Contamination of Food in Palestine, and Possible Methods to Decrease it.” In addition to giving a successfully scientific presentation, Dr. Sawalha was able to present to the audience the quality of scientific research that has been done in Palestine despite the political situation being extremely difficult and the challenges being many. The audience was impressed to know that An-Najah National University had an important center like the PCDIC During the workshop, there was a visit to one of the local hazelnut factories to see a real life demonstration of the methods used to prevent mycotoxin contamination. There was also a laboratory practice on how to analyze mycotoxins using different detection instruments such as HPLC and rapid testing. The workshop was attended by participants from different countries, including Moldova, Bosnia, Albania, Tasmania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Palestine, with the majority coming from Turkey.Dr. Sawalha mentioned that food contamination with mycotoxins is a major problem that cannot be ignored and that action should be taken to control and eliminate it. She also requested that legislative forces should take the required actions to help protect the population from the adverse effects of mycotoxins. In conclusion, Dr. Sawalha expressed her sincere thanks to TIKA, TUBITAK, UNIDO, and An-Najah National University for their support that led to her attendance of this very important workshop.