Aflatoxins: The regulatory landscape

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain types of mould that can be found in various agricultural products, including grains, nuts, and fruit. These toxins can cause serious health problems in humans and animals, and as a result, several regulations are in place to help ensure that food products are safe and free of aflatoxins.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established limits for the number of aflatoxins present in various food products. These limits are known as "action levels" and are based on the potential for exposure to the toxins and the risk of adverse health effects.

For example, the FDA has established an action level of 20 parts per billion (ppb) for aflatoxins in corn and corn products and a level of 15 ppb for peanuts and peanut products. If a food product exceeds these action levels, it may be considered adulterated and subject to regulatory action, such as being seized or recalled.

In addition to these action levels, the FDA has the authority to take regulatory action against food products containing aflatoxins, even if they do not exceed the established action levels. This can include requiring additional testing, issuing warning letters to companies that produce or distribute contaminated products, and issuing recalls of contaminated products.

In addition to the FDA's regulations, aflatoxins are also regulated by other agencies, such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These agencies have established limits for aflatoxins in animal feed and other products that may come into contact with food, such as food packaging materials.

In the United Kingdom, the regulatory requirements for aflatoxins in food are similar to those in the United States. The principal agency responsible for regulating aflatoxins in food is the Food Standards Agency (FSA), an independent government department responsible for protecting public health concerning food.

The FSA has established limits for the amount of aflatoxins present in various food products. These limits, known as "maximum levels," are based on potential exposure to the toxins and the risk of adverse health effects.

For example, the FSA has established a maximum level of 10 micrograms per kilogram (μg/kg) for aflatoxins in nuts and nut products and a level of 20 μg/kg for dried fruit. If a food product exceeds these maximum levels, it may be considered unfit for human consumption and subject to regulatory action, such as being seized or recalled.

In addition to these maximum levels, the FSA has the authority to take regulatory action against food products containing aflatoxins, even if they do not exceed the established maximum levels. This can include requiring additional testing, issuing warning letters to companies that produce or distribute contaminated products, and issuing recalls of contaminated products.

Overall, the regulatory requirements for aflatoxins in food are in place to help protect public health and ensure that food products are safe for consumption.?

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References:

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Aflatoxins. Retrieved from?https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/aflatoxins
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Aflatoxins in food and feed. Retrieved from?https://www.fda.gov/food/food-safety-during-emergencies/aflatoxins-food-and-feed
3. U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Aflatoxins in animal feed. Retrieved from?https://www.usda.gov/topics/aflatoxins-animal-feed
4. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Aflatoxins. Retrieved from?https://www.epa.gov/aflatoxins
5. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Aflatoxins. Retrieved from?https://www.who.int/food-safety/areas/food-contaminants/aflatoxins/en/
6. Food Standards Agency. (n.d.). Aflatoxins. Retrieved from?https://www.food.gov.uk/science/microbiology/aflatoxins
7. Food Standards Agency. (n.d.). Maximum levels for contaminants and natural toxicants. Retrieved from?https://www.food.gov.uk/science/our-regulatory-work/regulating-food-law/contaminants-natural-toxicants-and-pesticides/maximum-levels-for-contaminants-and-natural-toxicants
8. Food Standards Scotland. (n.d.). Aflatoxins. Retrieved from?https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/consumers/chemicals-food-additives-toxicants-contaminants/aflatoxins
9. Health and Safety Executive. (n.d.). Aflatoxins. Retrieved from?https://www.hse.gov.uk/food/aflatoxins.htm