Nebraska Receives OK to Mix Tainted Corn into Animal Feed - KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings

Nebraska has been given permission by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to mix together corn tainted with aflatoxin with untainted corn to be used for animal feed.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture joined other major corn-producing states in seeking exceptions to federal rules regarding aflatoxins.

Aflatoxins are a group of chemicals produced by certain mold fungi on corn. They occur more frequently during hot, dry summers which is why so much of this year's corn is afflicted with aflatoxins.

Almost 70 percent of nearly 2,000 samples from the early stages of the Nebraska corn harvest tested positive for aflatoxins.

Corn with more than 20 parts per billion can't be used for human consumption or as feed for dairy animals. The blended corn however is safe to use for animal feed.