Mycotoxins in Dried Fruit, Nuts and Melon Seeds Survey 2004

This survey, which followed on from a similar survey carried out by local authorities through Eurofins two years ago, had the following aims:

- to monitor the aflatoxin and ochratoxin levels in nuts, vine fruits and figs

- to establish to what extent the products comply with current regulations

- to compare the results with the previous survey

In this survey the option to submit samples of melon seeds (egusi) was also included in order to assess the extent and magnitude of contamination of this product. This followed the detection of significant levels of aflatoxin in this product during routine sampling by local authorities. Although there is no explicit maximum set by legislation for aflatoxin in melon seeds, they are consumed in significant quantities by some communities and they are still subject to the general food safety requirement that food shall not be contaminated such as to render it of unacceptable quality, harmful or unfit for consumption. It was considered appropriate, based on estimates of consumption, to compare the results with the legal limit applicable to nuts.

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