This toxin is capable of causing cancer, liver damage, and immune suppression, and is especially dangerous for young children. Therefore, controlling the permitted aflatoxin level in food is extremely important for protecting public health.
1. Permitted aflatoxin level in food
- Each country has specific regulations on the permitted aflatoxin level in food, depending on the food type and the user group. In Vietnam, under QCVN 8-2:2011/BYT and the latest updates from the Ministry of Health, the maximum limits for total aflatoxin and aflatoxin B1 in food are as follows:
- These standards are similar to or stricter than the standards of Codex Alimentarius and the European Union.
2. Aflatoxin testing methods
Because aflatoxin can exist at very low levels but with very high toxicity, detecting and quantifying it requires accurate and sensitive testing methods. Below are some of the methods in common use today:
* High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method
This is the most accurate quantification method, usually combined with a fluorescence detector (FLD). The food sample is extracted and cleaned up through an immunoaffinity column (IAC) before HPLC analysis. This method gives highly reliable results, suitable for analysis in ISO- or GLP-compliant laboratories.
* ELISA method (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay)
ELISA is a popular method in food testing laboratories because it gives fast, accurate results and processes many samples simultaneously. It is a suitable choice for manufacturers needing to screen incoming raw materials.
* Aflatoxin rapid test
Aflatoxin rapid tests usually use lateral-flow immunochromatographic strips that can detect aflatoxin within a few minutes with simple handling. Very useful for on-site testing, for example: at warehouses, at raw material receiving points, or in production workshops.
* Gas chromatography or LC-MS/MS method
These are high-end analytical methods, used for advanced testing and result verification when absolute accuracy is required, especially in international accreditation or export contexts.
Below are some aflatoxin test kit products from R-Biopharm (Germany) — one of the leading suppliers of test kits in the field of food safety and mycotoxin analysis.
📦 RIDA®QUICK Aflatoxin RQS ECO (Item code: R5208)
- Kit type: lateral-flow rapid test strip.
- Application: rapid total aflatoxin testing in cereals (corn, wheat, peanuts...).
- Result reading time of 5 minutes.
- Advantages: simple procedure, suitable for testing on site/in warehouses.
📦 AFLACARD B1 (Item code: RBRP27)
- Kit type: aflatoxin B1 rapid test card.
- Application: rapid qualitative aflatoxin B1 analysis in cereals and animal feed.
- Use: requires consumables to perform this qualitative test.
- Advantages: simple procedure, easy to use.
📦 RIDASCREEN® Aflatoxin B1 30/15 (Item code: R1211)
- Kit type: ELISA for quantifying aflatoxin B1
- Application: for food testing laboratories
- Test samples: cereals, oilseeds, spices, milk, animal feed...
- Advantages: high sensitivity, meets EU, Codex, and Vietnamese regulatory requirements
📦 RIDASCREEN® Aflatoxin M1 (Item code: R1121)
- Kit type: ELISA for quantifying aflatoxin M1
- Application: for food testing laboratories
- Test samples: cereals, oilseeds, spices, milk, animal feed...
- Advantages: high sensitivity, meets EU, Codex, and Vietnamese regulatory requirements
📦 RIDA®SCREEN Aflatoxin Total (Item code: R4701)
- Kit type: ELISA for quantifying total aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, G2)
- Application: analysis of high-risk food samples such as peanuts, hazelnuts, spices, wheat flour
- Sensitivity: <1 μg/kg
📦 AFLARHONE® WIDE (Item code: RBRP116/100)
- Immunoaffinity column for aflatoxin analysis used in combination with HPLC or LC-MS/MS to detect the aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, and M2 in a wide range of commodities.
- Analytes detected: Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2, Aflatoxin G1, Aflatoxin G2, Aflatoxin M1, Aflatoxin M2, and Sterigmatocystin. It may also cross-react with other metabolites.
✅ Common advantages of R-Biopharm kits
- Meet ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 standards
- Many kits certified by AOAC and USDA
- Easy to use, fast test times, suitable for both internal testing and exports
Monitoring the permitted aflatoxin level in food is not only a legal obligation but also an ethical responsibility of food producers and traders. Using modern aflatoxin testing methods such as ELISA, HPLC, or rapid tests is an effective solution that helps ensure quality and food safety while building consumer trust.
👉 See the aflatoxin test kit products we supply here
https://pacificlab.vn/vi/shops/group/phan-tich-du-luong-doc-to/page-4/
