Canada to test India feed corn imports due to mould concerns

Move to prevent contamination of livestock feed after high levels of aflatoxin were detected in feed

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said on Tuesday it has started to detain corn imports from India to allow for testing of aflatoxins.

The move is intended to prevent contamination of livestock feed after high levels of aflatoxin were detected in organic feed corn from India, the CFIA said.

Aflatoxins are chemicals produced by certain mould fungi that can kill livestock and are considered carcinogenic for animals and humans, according to Iowa State University.

India was the sixth-largest corn exporter in the world in 2013-14, according to the US Department of Agriculture.