Unavoidable low level aflatoxin contamination of peanuts

A major portion of aflatoxin contamination of peanuts probably occurs when decayed or discolored peanuts are incompletely removed by sorting. Quality control measures have been instituted in the United States to insure that unavoidable aflatoxins in consumer peanuts and peanut products do not exceed 20 μg/kg. However, low level aflatoxin contamination, from trace amounts to about 50 μg/kg in sound mature unblemished peanuts, can occur before peanuts are dug. This low level contamination is not related to high levels of Aspergillus flavus infection or to current production practices. Low level aflatoxin contamination of peanuts may be endemic, and current sorting procedures may not be effective in removing unblemished contaminated peanuts.