Aflatoxin Testing in Food | NABL Accredited | FSSAI & EU Compliance

Aflatoxin testing detects and quantifies the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens in the food supply — mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus moulds in grains, spices, nuts, and dried fruits. Auriga Research provides NABL-accredited aflatoxin analysis using HPLC with fluorescence detection and LC-MS/MS, from laboratories in Bangalore and Delhi serving food exporters, manufacturers, and importers across India.

Aflatoxins are a leading cause of Indian food and spice export rejections at EU ports. FSSAI allows total aflatoxins up to 30 ppb in cereals, but the EU limit is only 4 ppb for products intended for direct human consumption — a sevenfold difference. Indian exporters of spices, groundnuts, figs, and maize must test to EU standards before shipment to avoid costly border rejections, product destruction, and port recall fees.

We test all four regulated aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) simultaneously and also offer Aflatoxin M1 testing in milk and dairy products, Ochratoxin A in cereals and coffee, and multi-mycotoxin screening panels for comprehensive food safety assurance.

Aflatoxin Tests We Perform

Aflatoxin B1 — most toxic, IARC Group 1 carcinogen (FSSAI limit: 10 ppb)
Aflatoxin B2 — dihydro analogue of B1
Aflatoxin G1 — green fluorescent, commonly in peanuts and corn
Aflatoxin G2 — dihydro analogue of G1
Total Aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2) — FSSAI limit 30 ppb; EU limit 4 ppb
Aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products — FSSAI limit 0.5 ppb
Aflatoxin M1 in infant formula — FSSAI limit 0.025 ppb
Multi-mycotoxin screening (Aflatoxins + Ochratoxin A + Fumonisins + Zearalenone + DON)

High-Risk Commodities

Groundnuts / peanuts and peanut butter

Maize (corn) and corn flour

Chilli, paprika, and mixed spice blends

Pistachio, almond, cashew, walnut

Figs, raisins, and dried apricots

Rice and rice flour

Cottonseed and groundnut oil

Cumin, coriander, and black pepper

Nutmeg and mace

Animal feed and compound feed

Dairy milk (aflatoxin M1)

Baby food and infant formula

Regulatory Limits Reference

Aflatoxin / Matrix	FSSAI Limit	EU Limit	Codex
Total (B1+B2+G1+G2) — cereals, spices	30 µg/kg	4 µg/kg (human)	15 µg/kg
Aflatoxin B1 — all foods	10 µg/kg	2 µg/kg	—
Total — groundnuts before processing	30 µg/kg	15 µg/kg	15 µg/kg
Total — baby food and infant formula	10 µg/kg	0.1 µg/kg (B1)	—
Aflatoxin M1 — milk	0.5 µg/kg	0.05 µg/kg	0.5 µg/kg
Aflatoxin M1 — infant formula	0.025 µg/kg	0.025 µg/kg	—

Limits are subject to regulatory updates. Verify current limits with FSSAI and EU regulations before shipment.

Turnaround Time

Method	Standard TAT	Express
HPLC-FLD (FSSAI reference method)	5–7 business days	Available
LC-MS/MS (confirmatory)	7–10 business days	On request
Aflatoxin M1 in milk	5–7 business days	Available
Multi-mycotoxin panel	7–10 business days	On request

Related Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What are aflatoxins and why are they dangerous in food?

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus moulds that grow on agricultural commodities in warm, humid conditions. There are four main aflatoxins: B1, B2, G1, and G2 (classified by their blue or green fluorescence under UV light). Aflatoxin B1 is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — the highest carcinogenicity classification. Chronic low-level exposure causes liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma); acute high-dose exposure causes aflatoxicosis with liver failure, which can be fatal. Aflatoxin M1, a metabolite of B1, is excreted in the milk of lactating animals that consume contaminated feed.

What are FSSAI limits for aflatoxins in food?

FSSAI Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations 2011 set the following limits: Total Aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2): 30 µg/kg (ppb) for cereals, oilseeds, and their products. Aflatoxin B1: 10 µg/kg for all foods except infant formula. Aflatoxin M1 in milk: 0.5 µg/kg (ppb). Infant formula has stricter limits: Aflatoxin M1 ≤0.025 µg/kg. Baby foods: total aflatoxins ≤10 µg/kg. Products exceeding these limits are deemed adulterated and unsafe for human consumption under FSSAI regulations.

What food products most commonly fail for aflatoxins?

High-risk commodities include: Groundnuts (peanuts) and peanut products — highest aflatoxin prevalence globally. Maize (corn) and maize flour — contamination during harvest and storage. Spices — particularly chilli, paprika, cumin, black pepper, and nutmeg. Tree nuts — pistachios, almonds, cashews, walnuts, and Brazil nuts. Figs and dried fruits — high moisture during drying promotes mould growth. Rice — especially in tropical storage conditions. Edible oils — groundnut oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil. Animal feed — contaminated feed leads to aflatoxin M1 in milk.

What methods are used for aflatoxin testing?

Auriga Research uses HPLC with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) after immunoaffinity column cleanup — the FSSAI reference method and internationally accepted approach for regulatory compliance. For higher sensitivity and confirmation, we use LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry), which achieves detection limits in the sub-ppb range and simultaneously quantifies all four aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2). ELISA rapid screening kits are used for initial batch screening; positive ELISA results are confirmed by HPLC or LC-MS/MS. Aflatoxin M1 in milk is analysed separately by HPLC-FLD or LC-MS/MS after liquid extraction.

What is the EU limit for aflatoxins and how does it differ from FSSAI?

EU Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 sets much stricter aflatoxin limits than India: Total aflatoxins: 4 µg/kg for cereals, nuts, and spices intended for direct human consumption (vs 30 µg/kg in India). Aflatoxin B1: 2 µg/kg for direct consumption (vs 10 µg/kg in India). Groundnuts before processing: total aflatoxins ≤15 µg/kg. Infant and baby food: aflatoxin B1 ≤0.1 µg/kg; total aflatoxins ≤0.1 µg/kg. Indian exporters of spices, groundnuts, and grains to the EU regularly face shipment rejections due to aflatoxin levels that comply with FSSAI but exceed EU limits. Pre-shipment testing to EU standards is strongly recommended.