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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 volume 12, pages 309–316 (2017)Cite this article

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.

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Acknowledgements

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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Food Technology and Nutrition Group, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), NRC Campus, P.O. Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi

    Kennedy Magamba & Limbikani Matumba

  2. Veterinary Sciences, LUANAR (NRC Campus), P.O. Box 143, Lilongwe, Malawi

    Grey Matita

  3. Food Science and Technology Department, LUANAR (Bunda Campus), P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi

    Aggrey P. Gama

  4. Department of Agricultural Research Services, Chitedze Research Station, P.O. Box 158, Lilongwe, Malawi

    Lazarus Singano

  5. Department of Chemistry, Chancellor College, University of Malawi, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi

    Maurice Monjerezi

  6. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), P. O. Box 1096, Lilongwe, Malawi

    Samuel M. C. Njoroge

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  1. Kennedy Magamba
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  2. Limbikani Matumba
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  3. Grey Matita
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Correspondence to Limbikani Matumba.

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Magamba, K., Matumba, L., Matita, G. et al. Aflatoxin risk management in commercial groundnut products in Malawi (Sub-Saharan Africa): a call for a more socially responsible industry. J Consum Prot Food Saf 12, 309–316 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-017-1129-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00003-017-1129-6

Keywords

  • Aflatoxin
  • Commercial groundnut products
  • Malawi
  • Risk management

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