A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of
Master’s in Life Sciences of the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and
Technology
Feeding practices are the critical determinant of the growth and development of children during
the first 1000 days of life with a long time effect on adulthood. This study aimed at assessing the
diversity and safety complementary foods in terms of aflatoxins (AF). A total of 290 households
with infants aged between 6-24 months were recruited from 10 villages in Singida District.
Mothers were interviewed on infant feeding practices and handling of food crops using a structured
questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of index child were taken, followed by collection of
1 to 3 cereals based food samples used in complementary feeding in 180 households. A total of
218 flour samples made from maize, sorghum, millet, composite and fermented-germinated
sorghum locally known as magai and magai drink; from magai flour were collected. Food samples
were analyzed for aflatoxins using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Anthropometric measurements showed that 37.7% were stunted; 20.3% underweight and 8.3%
wasted. Furthermore, aflatoxin B1 was detected in 80 (36.7%) out of 218 complementary food
samples. Aflatoxin B1 levels ranged from 0.33 to 23.75 µg/kg whereas, total aflatoxins were
detected in 185 (84.9%) of 218 samples in a range of 0.47 to 289.28 µg/kg. However, mean dietary
exposure to all food were; magai drink (133.36 ng/kg body weight per day), composite flour (106.0
ng/kg body weight per day), maize flour (111.70 ng/kg body weight per day), sorghum flour (94.68
ng/kg body weight per day) and millet flour (92 ng/kg body weight per day).