Abstract
The situation of aflatoxins contamination in risky foods such as peanut and peanut products, dried chili and products during the year 2004 in Thailand was investigated. The survey of peanut-process chains from crops to retail and whole sale markets revealed that malpractices during drying process in the field, dehulling, grading and unsanitary warehouse caused increasing risk of aflatoxins contamination. In this research, contamination of total aflatoxins >20 μg/kg in peanut and products were found positive 55 in 183 samples (30 %), in which the roasted ground peanuts were the most risky food (27/35 or 77.14 %). Sorting houses and 12 small enterprises were observed based on GMP regulation. Some small enterprises had poor hygienic practices but aflatoxin level in food was low compared to the sorting house. Sorting of raw peanuts was the key to reduce aflatoxins contamination. Hand sorting was done in one factory as the model practice and was successful to reduce aflatoxins contamination that were found only 0.02-3.05μg/kg in sorted raw peanuts. The survey of dried chili proceses in 7 small enterprises were found that poor practices in raw material storage could cause the possibility of fungi growth. Aflatoxins in dried chili and products found positive in 47 of 75 samples (62.67 %), however, aflatoxins contamination in those foods was lower than that Thai-standard allowed (20μg/kg). Isolated fungi in dried chili (40 samples) indicated the potential of aflatoxins production when tested in rice-media. Using of chlorine dioxide 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L for 2 min reduced fungi population as much as 9.37-12.70 %.
