Can mycotoxins in peanut butter, corn, and spices raise cancer concerns?

What is actually in it

Mycotoxins are chemicals made by molds that can grow on crops. Higher-risk foods include peanuts, corn, wheat, tree nuts, dried fruit, coffee, cocoa, and spices.

The food can look normal. Mold toxins are not always visible or easy to smell. Humidity, crop damage, poor drying, warm storage, and long storage time raise concern.

What the research says

A 2026 J Biochem Mol Toxicol review describes foodborne mycotoxins as molecular and epigenetic carcinogens. The review explains how some mycotoxins can form DNA adducts, increase oxidative stress, disrupt cell-cycle control, affect immune surveillance, and change gene regulation.

That does not mean one jar of peanut butter causes cancer. It means repeated exposure from contaminated foods is worth reducing, especially for foods that are stored warm or damp.

The bottom line

Buy smaller amounts of high-risk pantry foods if they sit around for months. Store nuts, cornmeal, spices, and dried foods cool and dry in tightly closed glass containers. Throw away foods that smell musty, look moldy, clump from moisture, or came from water-damaged packaging.