Number 45 November 1994
MAFF UK - AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION OF PEANUT BUTTER AND PEANUTS
Index to MAFF UK Food Surveillance Information
Sheets, 1994
see also:
22: MAFF UK -
Aflatoxins in Herbs and Spices (January 1994)
37: MAFF UK - Survey of "Ethnic Foods"
for Mycotoxins (September 1994)
56:
MAFF UK - Aflatoxin Contamination of Peanut Butter and Peanuts (February 1995)
64: MAFF UK - Survey of Aflatoxin M1 in
Retail Milk and Milk Products (June 1995)
78:
MAFF UK - Survey of Aflatoxin M1 in Farm Gate Milk (January 1996)
81: MAFF UK - Aflatoxin Surveillance of Retail
and Imported Nuts, Nut Products, Dried Figs and Fig Products (March 1996)
Background
MAFF has been monitoring the aflatoxin contamination of food for a number of
years. Aflatoxins are a group of toxins formed by certain moulds which may grow
on a number of crops. The formation of aflatoxins depends on the foods on which
they grow and the conditions of heat and humidity during crop growth and
storage. They have been found in a wide variety of foodstuffs around the world
and particularly in countries where climate or poor storage conditions favour
the growth of moulds.
Research on laboratory animals has shown that aflatoxins are potent liver
carcinogens in animals and there is evidence that they are also human
carcinogens, with aflatoxin B1 being the most potent. The Food
Advisory Committee (FAC) recommended statutory limits following advice from the
Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the
Environment (COT) that aflatoxin contamination should be reduced to the lowest
level that is technologically possible.
Aflatoxin M1 is found in the milk and dairy products of animals
that have consumed feed contaminated by aflatoxin B1. The 'Feedingstuffs
Regulations 1991' (S.I. 1991/2840) set maximum levels for aflatoxins in
animal feed in order to control the levels of aflatoxin M1 in milk.
Regulations to limit the levels of aflatoxins in certain foodstuffs were
introduced in the UK at the end of 1992. The 'Aflatoxins in Nuts, Nut
Products, Dried Figs and Dried Fig Products Regulation 1992' (S.I. 1992 / 3236)
limit the level of aflatoxins in these foods to not more than 4 microgrammes per
kilogramme (µg/kg) in finished products intended for sale to consumers and
to not more than 10µg/kg in products intended for further processing before
sale or for incorporation in any compound food for human consumption.
Current Surveillance - preliminary result
A MAFF survey for aflatoxins in some foods is currently underway to analyse
samples of nuts, nut butters, figs, fig paste, milk and milk products. Sampling
of nuts (90 samples) and nut butters (50 samples) started in June 1994 and will
end in December 1994. All samples will be analysed at the CSL Food Science
Laboratory, Norwich. Analysis of all samples will be complete by mid-1995.
Although the survey is still continuing, two samples of Holland and Barrett
own-brand peanut butter, from the same batch (Batch No. 3355D, Best Before Date
December 1994), and one sample of Holland and Barrett paleskin peanuts (Origin
India, Best Before Date September 1994) have been shown to contain high levels
of aflatoxins. Aflatoxins were detected in the samples of smooth peanut butter
at a mean aflatoxin concentration of 20µg/kg. The sample of peanuts had a
mean aflatoxin concentration of 23µg/kg.
Action
Holland and Barrett have been contacted about these surveillance results and
have voluntarily withdrawn the affected batch of peanut butter from sale. They
have also placed a product recall notice in the national press, inviting the
public to return the peanut butter product from the affected batch, and have put
up similar notices in their shops. The batch of peanuts concerned is no longer
on sale as the sell-by-date has been exceeded.
The Department of Health has informed Local Authorities through its Food
Hazard Warning System. The Local Authorities will consider whether action
should be taken under the 'Aflatoxins in Nuts, Nut Products, Dried Figs and
Dried Fig Products Regulation 1992', which specify the sampling methods for
aflatoxins and prohibit the sale of products with a levels of aflatoxins
exceeding the prescribed levels.
When the survey has been completed, the results will be announced in a
future edition of the Food Safety Information Bulletin.
Conclusion
There is no immediate risk to public health but it was prudent to take steps
to limit further consumption of the peanut butter product. The company involved
took prompt remedial action to remove the product from sale and inform
consumers. These results underline the effectiveness of MAFF's food
surveillance programme.
Contact Point
Further information can be obtained from:
Dr David Atkins
MAFF, Food Safety and Science Group
Food
Contaminants Division
Room 208 Ergon House, c/o Nobel House
17 Smith
Square
London SW1P 3JR
Tel: + 44 (0) 171 238 6198
Fax: + 44 (0)
171 238 6591
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