Aflatoxins are a known “class 1” carcinogen, mainly found as a contaminant in human staple foods (like maize,sorghum, and groundnuts).

An estimated 3,700 liver cancer cases reported in Uganda annually are attributable to aflatoxin contamination. In addition, Uganda loses an estimated US$38 million annually in lost export opportunities because of aflatoxin.

In 2018, Kenya rejected 600,000 tons of maize from Uganda, and in 2021, it banned the importation of maize from Uganda and Tanzania, all due to poor quality and aflatoxin contamination.