Aflatoxins are carcinogens and genotoxins that directly alter theDNA
structure (Williams et al., 2004). Government regulatory agencies have
established very low tolerances for aflatoxins in food, including peanuts
and peanut products. The upper limit for aflatoxins in peanuts is 2 ng/g
for aflatoxin B1 and 4 ng/g for total aflatoxins (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) in the
European Union and 20 ng/g for total aflatoxins in the United States (Wu, 2006) and Argentina according to Mercosur resolution 56/94
(FAO, 2004).