Tag: Grain safety

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raw flour is a food safety risk because it is made from raw grains that have not been treated to kill harmful bacteria. This critical fact explains why you should never eat wheat straight from the field, despite it seeming natural and unprocessed.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), at least 25% of the world's food crops are affected by mycotoxins, posing a risk to both human and animal health. However, mold-derived mycotoxins are just one type of toxic compound found in grains. Others include naturally occurring anti-nutrients and contaminants from the environment and processing.

According to laboratory results published in June 2024, a sample of 100% organic einkorn flour tested non-detect for heavy metals below a low threshold of detection, which demonstrates that pure einkorn products are achievable. So, does einkorn have heavy metals, and what factors influence its overall purity?

Ergotism, historically known as St. Anthony's Fire, was responsible for devastating epidemics throughout medieval Europe due to contaminated grains. While outbreaks are extremely rare today, it is still crucial to understand what foods contain ergot and how modern food safety controls minimize the risk of contamination.

Historically documented cases of "kodo poisoning" in both humans and animals, dating back to 1922, highlight the long-standing risk associated with contaminated grains. This poisoning is caused by mycotoxins in kodo millet, specifically potent fungal secondary metabolites like cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). When environmental conditions, such as rainfall during harvest, favor fungal growth, this otherwise nutritious grain can become toxic and unsafe for consumption.

For the vast majority of people, properly cooked sorghum is a safe and highly nutritious gluten-free grain, but some still question, 'Can sorghum make you sick?'. While generally safe, understanding specific, rare circumstances—such as potential allergies or improper handling—is crucial for confident consumption.