In 2019, the total number of notifications in the European Union, Japan, and Australia decreased from 2018 by 8.8%, 22.6%, and 35.5%, respectively. On the contrary, the number of notifications in the US increased by 54.8%, breaking the downward trend of the 2015-2018 period. The presence of aflatoxins was, in general, the main reason for notifying, especially in the case of nuts.
- EU-RASFF. In 2019, the European Union’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued a total of 570 notifications including edible nuts (410 not.), dried fruits (133 not.) and peanuts for feed (27 not.). This result means a decrease of 8.8% compared with 2018 when a total of 625 notifications were registered. The most notified edible nuts were peanuts, followed by pistachios and almonds. As in previous years, the main reason for notifying edible nuts was the presence of aflatoxins. As for dried fruits, dried figs and dried grapes were the most notified. Aflatoxin was the main reason for notifying, followed by Ochratoxin A.
- USA. In the United States, notifications for edible nuts increased by 67%. As in 2018, the nut with the highest number of notifications was peanut followed by macadamias and almonds. Misbranding continued to be the main reason for notifying edible nuts, followed by Salmonella and aflatoxins. As in the case of edible nuts, the number of notifications for dried fruits increased by almost 50%, reaching 118 notifications. Like in 2018, raisin was the most notified dried fruit followed by dates and prunes. Filthy products, misbranding and the presence of pesticides continued to be the main reasons for notifying dried fruits.
- Japan. In Japan, notifications for edible nuts and dried fruit decreased by 22.6% for the second year in a row (from 128 to 99 not.). Peanut was the most notified product. Almonds ranked second, followed by dried figs and peanut products. The main reason for notifying edible nuts and dried fruits was still the presence of aflatoxins (92% of the total).
- Australia. Australia issued 29 notifications for nuts and dried fruits in 2019, almost half the number in 2018. Peanuts were the most notified, with 14 notifications, followed by peanut products, with 7 notifications. The main reason for notifying edible nuts and dried fruits was the presence of aflatoxins (72% of the total).