World Food Day 2024: Get to know Mirabelle Feliho, PhD student at Université Abomey-Calavi!

24 October 2024

Ensuring the right to food for all requires collective action to tackle hunger and poverty. This means prioritising the production and consumption of diverse, safe and nutritious foods, while building resilience against shocks, vulnerabilities, and stresses.

The academic community plays a crucial role in this mission. Research, data, technology, and innovation can be powerful tools for enhancing food safety and food security, as well as for transforming agrifood systems for a better future and a better life for all.

That’s why UPRISE is taking action by training 11 PhD students under joint EU-AU supervision to become future leaders and food safety ambassadors for Africa. These researchers will play a key role in supporting food safety risk assessment and management to reduce mycotoxin levels, by developing guides, toolkits, early warning systems and microbiome- based innovations.

Get to know Mirabelle Feliho, PhD student at Université Abomey-Calavi (Benin).

Entitled “Improving the quality culture in the Akpan value chain in Benin with focus on mycotoxin reduction”, Mirabelle’s research focuses on improving the safety and quality of the Akpan value chain in Benin, with particular attention to reducing mycotoxin contamination.

Akpan, a traditional fermented beverage made from maize or sorghum, is susceptible to fungal contamination, leading to the production of harmful mycotoxins. This study aims to assess the value chain from production to distribution, sampling and analysing mycotoxins and moulds at different stages to identify critical control points.

The research involves conducting a thorough analysis of the key contamination points along the production chain and proposing corrective measures to mitigate these risks. Once identified, these corrective actions will be tested for their effectiveness in reducing mycotoxin levels. By engaging local producers and other stakeholders, we will ensure that the proposed solutions are both practical and sustainable, enhancing the overall quality and safety of Akpan.

Aligned with the objectives of the UP-RISE project, this research contributes to strengthening food safety in Africa by addressing mycotoxin contamination in informal food chains. The findings will provide actionable recommendations to improve public health and the livelihoods of those involved in the Akpan value chain, while ensuring a safer, higher-quality product for consumers.

Video: Mirabelle Feliho, PhD student at Université Abomey-Calavi (Benin)

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