A Known Risk Across Groundnut Products
Peanuts (groundnuts) are susceptible to contamination by aflatoxin-producing molds under certain storage and growing conditions, a well-documented food safety risk across groundnut-derived products, including peanut oil.
Why This Matters Even for Refined Oil
While refining processes can reduce aflatoxin levels present in crude oil, buyers shouldn’t simply assume refining eliminates the risk entirely without supporting test data. Aflatoxin limits are regulated in most markets specifically because of this contamination pathway.
What Testing Documentation Should Show
A current Certificate of Analysis should include aflatoxin testing results demonstrating levels within the applicable regulatory limit for your target market, not merely a general food-safety compliance statement.
Regulatory Limits Vary by Market
Different jurisdictions set different maximum aflatoxin thresholds, so buyers should confirm the specific limit applicable to their destination market rather than assuming a universal standard applies.
Sourcing Checklist
- Require current aflatoxin testing data as part of standard COA documentation
- Confirm the specific regulatory limit applicable to your target market
- Ask about the supplier’s own quality control and testing frequency practices
- Consider independent testing for significant volume orders, particularly from new suppliers
Contact our team for current peanut oil specifications and testing documentation.
