Aflatoxin risk management in commercial groundnut products in Malawi (Sub-Saharan Africa): a call for a more socially responsible industry

Abstract

This study was performed as a follow-up to a study from 2013, to assess the impact of management interventions on aflatoxin incidence and levels in commercial groundnut products in Malawi. Sixtyseven samples of commercial groundnut products were analyzed for aflatoxin using a fluorometric method. Total aflatoxin levels ranged from 1.5 to 1200 lg/kg in raw groundnuts and 83-820 lg/kg in groundnut flour from vendors. In branded groundnut flour and peanut butter from supermarkets, aflatoxin levels ranged from 13 to 670 lg/kg and 1.3 to 180 lg/kg, respectively. About 93, 88, 78 and 72% of the samples analyzed contained aflatoxin levels above regulatory limit used in Malawi (3 lg/kg), EU (4 lg/kg), most developing countries (10 lg/kg), and the USA (20 lg/kg), respectively. Despite much effort, aflatoxin levels remain persistently high in commercial groundnut. Considering the difficulty of achieving an efficient government regulation system due to resource constraint, the authors recommend the promotion of a socially responsible groundnut processing industry that has consumer welfare as its central feature.

Assessment of Aflatoxin and Fumonisin Contamination and Associated Risk Factors in Feed and Feed Ingredients in Rwanda

“…In the African context, establishment of standards and enforcement of regulations is currently driven by trade and the desire to comply with export regulations [48]. The inability to enforce even the single, existing aflatoxin standard renders it useless and gives the false impression of controlling the situation [49]. Sirma et al suggested that aflatoxin standards for food and feeds would be more effective if the context of local conditions were considered, such as typical crops used as ingredients, capacity to enforce regulations, differentiated aflatoxin contamination levels in food and feeds, regional standards, and societal concerns (food and nutrition security) [50].…”

Nutrient Composition and Aflatoxin Contamination of African Sourced Peanuts and Cashew Nuts: Its Implications on Health

“…In an analysis of aflatoxin levels in peanuts at farms and markets in Uganda, Kaya and co-workers [108] reported the presence of aflatoxins at farm level in ≥60% of the peanuts. Results from analysis of raw peanuts, peanut flour, roasted peanuts and peanut butter [84,109] showed a Table 3.…”

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaeaL.) improvement in sub-Saharan Africa: a review

“…Improved Spanish groundnut cultivars such as ICGV 91278, ICGV 91283, and ICGV 91284 were selected by ICRISAT showing considerable resistance for aflatoxin-producing fungus (Upadhyaya et al, 2001b). Groundnut accessions ICGs 13,603, 1415, 14,630, 3584, 5195, 6703 and 6888 were recommended for production for their low levels of aflatoxin content (<4 μg kg −1 ) which is far below the regulatory limits for EU (4 μg/kg), most developing countries (10 μg/kg), and the U.S.A. (20 μg/kg) (Magamba et al 2017). Despite breeding progress, aflatoxin levels remain high in commercial groundnut products due to poor regulatory systems and other resource constraints.…”

“…Despite breeding progress, aflatoxin levels remain high in commercial groundnut products due to poor regulatory systems and other resource constraints. Effective post-and pre-harvest groundnut handling and processing are imperative to minimise aflatoxin contamination along the value chains of the crop (Magamba et al 2017).…”