The European Commission’s health and safety unit has released findings from audits conducted in Egypt and India, shedding light on significant challenges regarding aflatoxins in peanut exports. These audits were prompted by a rising number of Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) notifications for aflatoxins, posing potential health risks for consumers in the European Union.

Aflatoxin Alerts in Egypt

The audit conducted in Egypt in September 2022 revealed a concerning trend of aflatoxin contamination in peanuts. The RASFF system recorded 41 alerts in 2021 and at least 34 in 2022, with a few operators being responsible for the majority of rejections. Local authorities attributed the increase in alerts to heightened peanut exports.

The audit discovered several key issues:

1. Lack of control over suppliers, including no sampling of incoming peanuts and poor maintenance of facilities.
2. Certificates for export were issued to operators not in compliance with all requirements, undermining the certification process.
3. Exported processed peanuts did not meet EU requirements, as samples were not taken from consignments, and official certificates were not issued.
4. Inadequate measures taken against packing houses with numerous RASFF notifications.

Indian Aflatoxin Concerns

Similarly, the audit conducted in India in March 2023 also identified aflatoxin-related challenges. There were 39 RASFF notifications in 2022, primarily due to a few operators. The audit found:

1. Controls at primary producers in India were not designed to ensure compliance with EU requirements regarding aflatoxin prevention.
2. Inadequate monitoring of agricultural practices and no risk assessment for inspections.
3. Discrepancies between documented HACCP plans and actual practices.
4. Lack of root cause analysis for identified problems.

Additionally, the audit team uncovered delays of up to 90 days between pre-export testing in India and analysis at EU laboratories, potentially allowing aflatoxin levels to increase during extended storage and transportation.

Impact on EU Imports

These audit findings raise concerns about the safety of peanut imports from Egypt and India into the European Union. Aflatoxins are known carcinogens and can have severe health implications if consumed in contaminated products.

As a response to these findings, European authorities are urging stricter compliance measures and monitoring in the exporting countries. The aim is to ensure that peanuts and peanut products entering the EU market meet rigorous safety standards to protect consumers’ health.

Efforts are also being made to improve the inspection and monitoring processes within Egypt and India, with a focus on addressing the root causes of aflatoxin contamination. The suspension of certain establishments and labs underscores the seriousness with which these issues are being treated.

The EU remains committed to safeguarding the health and safety of its citizens by enhancing the control and regulation of aflatoxins in imported food products, particularly nuts and peanuts, from these regions. It is expected that further measures and collaborations will be pursued to address these critical food safety concerns.

Source:https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/rasff-window/screen/notification/564633