Regulatory framework for aflatoxin in Brazilian peanuts

Abstract

Due to the economic relevance of peanut production in Brazil, the presence of fungi and food contamination by aflatoxin are considered a threat to this production chain. Although there are regulations on the exposure of contaminants in food, the means of control are not sufficient, as there are reports of several nonconformities. Therefore, the objective of this work was to analyze the evolution of the national legislation, comparing it with that of the main producing and importing cancountries for the maximum permitted limits and the potential problems of peanut contamination by aflatoxins. Therefore, we adopted a qualitative approach using a literature review. Few studies were found regarding the presence of aflatoxin in peanuts, or on the evaluation of exposure effects of these mycotoxins on the population. Brazilian legislation is less strict than that of countries integrating the European Union, which considers a maximum tolerable limit of 4 μg kg-1 of total aflatoxin, while Brazil allows of up to 20 μg kg-1. In this perspective, then, further studies on the presence of aflatoxin in foods are necessary, as well as periodical reassessments of the permitted limits. According to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the aflatoxins belong to group 1 and are considered carcinogenic. In addition, the possibility of the presence of toxigenic fungal species, such as Aspergillus flavus, in the production chain, evidences the importance of good raw material storage that respect good manufacturing practices (GMP) and the maximum limits established for peanut moisture.