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

Magamba, K and Matumba, L and Matita, G and Gama, A P and Singano, L and Monjerezi, M and Njoroge, S M C (2017) Aflatoxin risk management in commercial groundnut products in Malawi (Sub-Saharan Africa): a call for a more socially responsible industry. Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety. pp. 1-8. ISSN 1661-5751

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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. Sixty-seven samples of commercial groundnut products were analyzed for aflatoxin using a fluorometric method. Total aflatoxin levels ranged from 1.5 to 1200 μg/kg in raw groundnuts and 83–820 μg/kg in groundnut flour from vendors. In branded groundnut flour and peanut butter from supermarkets, aflatoxin levels ranged from 13 to 670 μg/kg and 1.3 to 180 μg/kg, respectively. About 93, 88, 78 and 72% of the samples analyzed contained aflatoxin levels above regulatory limit used in Malawi (3 μg/kg), EU (4 μg/kg), most developing countries (10 μg/kg), and the USA (20 μg/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.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Research Program : East & Southern Africa
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Aflatoxin, Commercial groundnut products, Malawi, Risk management
Subjects:	Mandate crops > Groundnut Others > Food Legumes Others > Legume Crops Others > Sub-Saharan Africa Others > Aflatoxins Others > Malawi
Depositing User:	Mr Ramesh K
Date Deposited:	20 Oct 2017 09:17
Last Modified:	20 Oct 2017 09:17
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/10220
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00003-017-1129-6
Projects:	Reducing Mycotoxin Contamination of Maize, Groundnuts and Beans to Improve Food Safety and Enhance Health and Trade in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	This study was supported by the Government of Malawi and World Bank through the Agricultural Productivity Program for Southern Africa (APPSA) project number MC-P04-2014 entitled ‘Reducing Mycotoxin Contamination of Maize, Groundnuts and Beans to Improve Food Safety and Enhance Health and Trade in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique’. The invaluable technical assistance provided by T. Mhango, C. Dzimkambani, Kondwani Kammwamba, Mtendere Manadala, Chimwemwe Mboma and Paul Phiri is highly appreciated.
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