On March 11, 2024, the French Agency for Food Safety released the “Biohazard Description Table of Food Transmission: Aflatoxin and Other Aflatoxin-producing Molds”, which updates the description of the hazards of aflatoxins transmitted through food, including:

(1) The updating work is undertaken by the Expert Committee on the Assessment of Biohazards in Food (CES BIORISK);

(2) Sources and effects of aflatoxins: The updated information sheet highlights the potential food hazards of Aspergillus flavus and other aflatoxin-producing molds, which are transmitted to humans and animals primarily through contaminated agricultural products (such as grains, nuts and dried fruits), and can also accumulate in organs such as the liver when animals ingest contaminated feed. And transmitted to humans through animal products such as milk;

(3) Regulatory and testing methods: The document refers to the EU regulations on the maximum allowable levels of aflatoxins in food and feed, including the new Regulation (EU) 2023/915, and the regulations on sample collection and analysis methods, and lists several standard methods for aflatoxins testing;

(4) Prevention and control recommendations: Recommendations are provided for producers, processors and consumers to prevent and control aflatoxin contamination, including good agricultural and storage practices, and household storage of food to reduce the risk of mold growth and toxin production;

(5) Impacts of climate change on aflatoxin: a new section on how climate change affects aflatoxin risk has been added. Climate conditions, especially temperature and humidity in spring and summer, have a direct impact on mold growth and toxin production, and climate change may increase the risk of contamination of food during the growing and storage stages;

(6) References and links: Provides links to the latest literature and resources on aflatoxins research and risk assessment, including relevant reports from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).