Occurrence of aflatoxin in commodities imported into Qatar, 1997-2000

The occurrence of aflatoxin in commodities imported into Qatar was investigated from 1999 to 2000. During the 4 years, 351 samples of susceptible commodities were analysed. Aflatoxin was detected in 71 (20%) samples in the range 0.1-20 mug kg(-1) and in 50 (14%) samples above the permitted level of 20 mg kg(-1). The highest incidence and levels of aflatoxin contamination were recorded in pistachio without shell followed by pistachio with shell. Aflatoxin levels >20 mug kg(-1) in the pistachio samples varied from 8.7 to 33%. The highest level of total aflatoxin found in pistachio without shell was 289 mug kg(-1). A few samples of corn and corn products (three of 54 analysed), peanut and peanut products (nine of 42 analysed) and other nuts like almond, walnut and cashew (one of 40 analysed) were found contaminated with low levels (0.1-20 mug kg(-1)) of aflatoxins. Only one sample of custard powder and one sample of roasted peanut were found with aflatoxin >20 mug kg(-1).