Aflatoxin: A Synthesis of the Research in Health, Agriculture and Trade

“Harmonized
regulations proposed
by the EU established
a standard of 4 ppb
of total aflatoxin
strains allowed in
cereals and peanuts
intended for human
consumption...”
harmonized regulations proposed by the eU established a standard of 4 ppb
of total aflatoxin strains allowed in cereals and peanuts intended for human
consumption; of that 4 ppb, no more than 2 ppb may be composed of aflatoxin
B 1 . foodstuffs intended for further processing are permitted higher levels of
aflatoxin, as some processing procedures decrease aflatoxin levels. Despite the
relaxation of standards for food intended for further processing, limits set by the
eU are still much lower and stricter than codex suggestions, as well as standards
set in many developing countries, leading many to protest these levels as unfair
trade regulations that limit the export potential of developing countries. Several
factors influence aflatoxin tolerance limits: (1) the availability of toxicological
data, including hazard identification and characterization; (2) the availability of
data on aflatoxin occurrence within and across commodities; (3) the availability
of analytical methods; (4) domestic trade interests and foreign regulations; and
(5) the domestic food supply situation. the importance of each of these factors
varies over time and across countries. each of these factors should be taken into
account when developing regulations on aflatoxin limits. 4
from 1986 through 1994, the eighth round of multilateral trade negotiations
was held by the General Agreement on tariffs and trade (GAtt), now known
as the World trade organization (Wto). negotiations included over 123
countries and were named the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture.
one of the outcomes was the Agreement of the Application of Sanitary and
Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, which includes a series of understandings on how
SPS measures for animals and plants should be regulated in trade. countries
agreed to ensure that SPS measures used would not discriminate against trade
partners. countries may use reasonable SPS measures, or combinations of
measures, on goods to bring food contaminants into an acceptable range. SPS
measures are protective measures applied in many situations: 5
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• SPS measures can protect human or animal life from risks arising from
additives, contaminants, toxins, or disease-causing organisms in their
food.
• SPS measures can protect human life from plant or animal carried
diseases.
• SPS measures can protect animal or plant life from pests, diseases, or
disease-causing organisms.
• SPS measures can prevent or limit other damage to a country from the
entry, establishment, or spread of pests.
B.2 euroPeAn HArMoniZAtion
in 1998, the eU announced common regulations for maximum allowances
of aflatoxin in imported foodstuffs. however, empirical evidence on the trade
impact of tightening standards is extremely limited. little baseline information
has been produced to inform trade policy and decision making. otsuki et al. 6
reviewed a 1997 study by fAo which uncovered several issues impacting
compliance by developing countries: lack of funds allocated to research
aflatoxin, scarcity of highly trained personnel, inadequate facilities for safe
aflatoxin research, lack of maintenance of laboratory facilities, and inadequate
infrastructure. otsuki also notes that although more sensitive equipment is being
made available for the testing of aflatoxin levels in foodstuffs, the development
of successful farming techniques is still lagging.