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EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion regarding the effect on public health of a possible increase of the maximum level (ML) for ‘aflatoxin total’ from 4 to 10 µg/kg in peanuts and processed products thereof. A total of 8,095 samples of peanuts and 472 samples of peanut butter were analyzed. The highest concentrations of AFT were found in peanuts with a mean value of 2.65/3.56 µg/kg whereas concentrations of AFT in peanut butter were lower with a mean value of 1.47/1.92 µg/kg.
 
EFSA concluded that assuming the current market situation with the ML of 4 µg/kg, mean chronic exposure estimates for consumers only, ranged from 0.04 to 2.74 ng/kg bw per day. If the ML is changed to 10 µg/kg, it is expected that these exposure estimates may increase up to 0.07 and 4.28 ng/kg bw per day, respectively. However, due to the low number of consumers in most dietary surveys and age classes, a reliable exposure assessment for highly exposed consumers was not possible.
 
The CONTAM Panel recommends that a full risk assessment should be carried out considering the observation of elevated aflatoxin levels in some food commodities originating from European countries and that the last full risk assessment by the CONTAM Panel was carried out in 2007.
 
Effect on public health of a possible increase of the maximum level for ‘aflatoxin total’ from 4 to 10 µg/kg in peanuts and processed products thereof, intended for direct human consumption or use as an ingredient in foodstuffs. EFSA Journal 2018;16(2):5175. 32 pp.

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