2007, Volume XI, Issue 1News From International AgenciesAn opinion published on March 2, 2007, by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) could help ease current constraints on the worldwide nut trade by opening the way to less stringent international aflatoxin regulations for unprocessed almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios.The EFSA panel of experts on food chain contaminants (CONTAM Panel) concluded that setting limits for total aflatoxins within the range presently under discussion by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (8 μg/kg for ready-to-eat nuts and 15 μg/kg for unprocessed nuts) in these three nuts would not substantially increase consumers’ total aflatoxin exposure or the accompanying risk of cancer. Based on their examination of occurrence data, the panel concluded that efforts to reduce consumer exposure to aflatoxins should focus on preventing highly contaminated foods from entering the market and on limiting exposure from foods that are more significant contributors to total dietary intake than almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios. The CONTAM Panel emphasized the continued need to protect public health by keeping levels in major dietary sources of aflatoxin exposure as low as reasonably achievable. The full opinion of of the CONTAM Panel is available on the
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