About
What it is and where it shows up.
Dried corn refers to the dried mature kernels of Zea mays Linn., a staple cereal grain used globally as a food ingredient, flour base, and animal feed. It is processed into products such as cornmeal, corn flour, cornstarch, corn flakes, and popcorn.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Dried corn is safe for the general adult population when sourced and stored properly; the primary safety concern is mycotoxin contamination (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A) that can occur during crop production and storage. The FDA enforces a 20 ppb action level for aflatoxins in corn destined for human consumption, and WHO/FAO JECFA establishes tolerable daily intakes for relevant mycotoxins. No ADI is applicable to the grain itself as it is a whole food ingredient, not an additive.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Dried maize is an approved food commodity in the EU. EFSA monitors mycotoxin limits (aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A) in maize under EC Regulation No 1881/2006 on contaminants in foodstuffs. No E-number or additive status is assigned to dried corn itself.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | FSSAI defines maize as dried mature grains of Zea mays Linn. that shall be sweet, hard, clean, and wholesome. Standards cover moisture, damaged grains, shrunken kernels, and contaminants per Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Dried corn is a standard food commodity; no additive ADI applies. FDA enforces a 20 ppb aflatoxin action level for corn in general commerce (21 CFR). Corn above 300 ppb aflatoxin is considered adulterated for any use.source |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Infants — Infants and young children have less developed immune systems and are disproportionately vulnerable to mycotoxin (aflatoxin, fumonisin) contamination in maize, with studies showing elevated hepatocellular carcinoma risk and stunted growth from contaminated corn-based weaning foods.
Children — Children below 12 years are more vulnerable to mycotoxin effects due to less developed immune function and higher food intake per kg body weight, and prolonged ingestion of aflatoxin-contaminated maize has been linked to impaired immunity and stunted growth.
Liver Disease — Aflatoxins in improperly stored dried corn are potent hepatotoxins and carcinogens (IARC Group 1); individuals with pre-existing liver disease face heightened risk from even low-level aflatoxin exposure.
Pregnancy — Regular consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated corn during pregnancy has been associated with birth defects and developmental harm according to FDA mycotoxin guidance; pregnant women should ensure corn is sourced from regulated, well-stored supplies.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1FDA. Mycotoxins | FDA. fda.gov
- 2FSSAI. FSSAI Chapter 2.4: Cereals and Cereal Products – Maize Standard. fssai.gov.in
- 3WHO. Mycotoxins – WHO Fact Sheet, 2023. who.int
- 4PubMed. Prevalence and Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin in Iowa Corn during a Drought Year, 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. Aflatoxins in Food and Feed: An Overview on Prevalence, Detection and Control Strategies, 2019. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Independently researched5 citations