The Almond Board of California (ABC) works closely with shippers and government authorities to manage almond shipment rejections that can result from elevated aflatoxin levels. The almond industry’s comprehensive aflatoxin management system is recognized in the European Union (EU) – the only U.S. commodity with a recognized system in the region. However, even with lower rates of inspection in Europe, rejections can still occur when consignments are resampled and tested.
An important indicator is insect damage. “We know insect damage is an important vector for aflatoxin contamination. We heard from the industry last year that insect damage was rising, given the economic pressures growers are facing, coupled with heavy winter rains that made winter sanitation difficult. That translates into the potential for aflatoxin,” said Tim Birmingham, ABC’s director of quality assurance and industry services. “That is what we heard from last year’s crop, and we know that weather and continued financial constraints handcuffed growers even more coming into this year’s crop.”