Aflatoxin Testing of American Peanuts Approved

22/10/07 The European Commission has approved the pre-export aflatoxin tests carried out by the USA on American peanuts. The approval by the Commission’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (Toxicology Section) states that “the frequency of the physical checks on the consignments covered by the decision shall be significantly reduced”. This will simplify and speed up import processes for importers and users of American peanuts across Europe and allow food and snack manufacturers to rely on the swift entry of American peanuts into European ports. The decision reflects the high level of confidence in the United States food export safety system.

U.S. Peanuts are the first commodity product to be granted pre-export approval under the EU’s food and feed controls legislation. The approval follows an audit of the U.S. system by the EU’s Food and Veterinary Office in September 2006 and replaces existing agreements that had been in place with port authority officials in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands since 1999 and 2000 respectively.

Louise McKerchar, European Marketing Director of the American Peanut Council commented: “The pre-export certification approval by the European Commission is great news for European manufacturers looking to add value to their products with American peanuts. The American Peanut Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service and Agricultural Marketing Service were instrumental in aiding the approval process and we’re delighted with the result. We are proud to be able to offer the highest quality, best tasting peanuts around, and now, our customers will receive them without delay.”