MUMBAI, February 20: The European Union (EU) plans to tighten the permissible levels of aflatoxin in HPS groundnut for human consumption and other non-edible varieties while also making the sampling norms more stringent.The proposed legislation is subject to clearance from the World Trade Organisation. If passed, it will be binding on all countries within the EU.
Also, none of the European countries produces HPS groundnut. The major suppliers of HPS groundnut are Argentina, China, India, South Africa, USA and Vietnam. If the proposed EU legislation is passed, this is likely to completely halt the export of HPS groundnut to the EU countries.
According to the Indian Oilseeds & Produce Exporters Association (IOPEA), the EU plans to lower aflatoxin norm to a very low level of 10 PPB (parts per billion) for raw groundnut that is not for direct human consumption and to 4 PPB for consumer-ready ones.
Through this proposed legislation, the EU plans, for the first time, to standardise the level of aflatoxinpermitted while importing HPC groundnuts from various countries.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
