In view of the evidence concerning the effects, particularly the carcinogenic effects, of aflatoxins in several animal species, and in view of the association between aflatoxin exposure levels and human liver cancer incidence observed in some parts of the world, exposure to aflatoxins should be kept as low as practically achievable. The tolerance levels for food products established in several countries should be understood as management tools intended to facilitate the implementation of aflatoxin control programmes, and not as exposure limits that necessarily ensure health protection.