Peanuts, aflatoxin, and the U.S. origin certification program.

The European Union (EU) reviewed the U.S. Origin Certification Program (OCP) to test U.S. export peanuts for aflatoxin at origin and indicated that the OCP provides a similar level of assurance as the EU Directive concerning aflatoxin testing in various commodities. EU member countries that choose to use the OCP are not precluded from conducting random testing of lots for aflatoxin at the port of entry. For domestic use, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires three 22 kg laboratory samples to average less than 15 total ng/g for acceptance. The EU requires one 30 kg laboratory sample to test less than 15 total ng/g (8B1) for raw peanuts destined for further processing and three 10 kg laboratory samples to all test less than 4 total ng/g (2B1) for consumer-ready peanuts sold for direct human consumption. The U.S. proposal to the EU was to use the official USDA 22 kg sample for raw peanuts or divide the USDA 22 kg sample into three 7.3 kg samples for consumer-ready peanuts. In addition the U.S. provides copies of official USDA grade and aflatoxin certificates for traceability and all aflatoxin test results for verification. The origin certification program will reduce lots rejected at the port of entry, reduce the disruption in supply, reduce economic losses, and maintain EU standards for consumer safety. The origin certification program is an example of an agreement between two countries that is mutually beneficial to both while maintaining high standards for consumer safety.