Aflatoxins

What are the permitted levels of aflatoxins in foods?

The EU has the most stringent levels of aflatoxins permitted in foods anywhere in the world at four parts per billion. The levels permitted in other countries vary considerably, but as an indication, the USA, the worlds biggest consumer of nuts and peanut butter has a limit of 20 parts per billion (ppb), 3 times that of the EU.

Why then have products above the permitted EU levels of aflatoxins appeared on shelf in the supermarket?

Eradicating aflatoxins is an enormous challenge facing the whole industry - farmers, manufacturers and retailers alike. Despite stringent controls and testing, it is occasionally possible to miss an increase in the level of aflatoxins during the farming, sorting and manufacturing process because the naturally occurring mould is not evenly distributed but occurs haphazardly in hot spots throughout a batch. This reduces the accuracy of detection.