Occurrence of aflatoxins in cashew nuts produced in northeastern brazil

- Total aflatoxins in Brazilian cashew nuts were monitored for three years.
- ELISA method was used for the control of total aflatoxin level.
- Only 2.8% of the samples showed high levels of aflatoxins.
- The incidence of contamination by aflatoxins investigated has declined in recent years.

Samples of cashew nuts produced in northeastern Brazil were evaluated using monitoring system by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay - ELISA for detection and quantification of the level of total aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2). The data show that a total of 70 samples analyzed, only two (2.8%) showed contamination to levels above EU MRL (4 μg kg−1). Only one sample analyzed showed level of total aflatoxins above the MRL (20 μg kg−1) established by Brazilian Regulations. According to the results the incidence of aflatoxin contamination in Brazilian cashew nuts has decreased during the period 2010-2012. Programs for monitoring the level of mycotoxins in foods should be implemented continuously to ensure food security to the population.