Survey finds aflatoxins in nuts and nut-based products below legal levels

A survey carried out by the Food Standards Agency has shown that aflatoxins in nuts and nut-based products were either absent or below legal levels in 95% of the samples tested. Overall, fewer samples were found to exceed the legal limits than the previous survey.

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain moulds growing on some food crops during production and storage.

A total of 197 samples of nuts and nut products were analysed in the survey, carried out between November 2003 and January 2004. In 70% of samples aflatoxins were not detected. Forty-nine samples (25%) were found to contain levels of aflatoxin B1 and had total aflatoxins below the legal limits of 2 and 4 micrograms/kg respectively.

However, 10 samples (5%) were found to contain levels of aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins above these limits. Where aflatoxins above the legal limits were detected, the Agency has taken action to ensure that these products are no longer available for sale.

Occasionally consuming a small amount of aflatoxin contaminated food is unlikely to cause ill effects. However, aflatoxins have been shown to cause cancer in a number of animal species by damaging DNA. There is also some evidence to suggest they may be harmful to humans. Experts have recommended that aflatoxins in food should be reduced to the lowest levels achievable.

The results from this survey show an improvement in the situation compared with the previous survey published in 2002, when 13% of samples were found to exceed the legal limits for aflatoxin B1. It does not raise any new safety concerns and consumers do not need to change their diets as a result of these findings.