Committee discontinues work towards ML for total aflatoxins in ready-to-eat peanuts
The INC participated in the 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF18), which took place on June 23-27, 2025. Among other agenda items, the Committee discussed a proposal to establish a maximum level (ML) for total aflatoxins in ready-to-eat (RTE) peanuts. The proposal was put forth by an Electronic Working Group (EWG) chaired by India and co-chaired by the United States.
The INC expressed opposition to the proposed ML of 10 µg/kg, citing deficiencies in the dataset used to support the recommendation. The INC emphasized that any decision on the matter should be based on robust scientific evidence.
After acknowledging data collection errors that had led to an incomplete dataset, the CCCF18 agreed to discontinue work on the ML for total aflatoxins in RTE peanuts and to allow the Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanuts to do its work. Work may be resumed in the future if and when the data allow.