Groundnut kernel fungus an unchecked threat: Minister

“We do not have any common policy under which the commodity meant for local consumption can be subjected to quality test prior to its supply in the open market,” state Agriculture Minister Dilip Sanghani told Newsline.

“Local bodies,under the Food and Drugs Act,can take samples any time for tests. However,there is no mechanism by which we can ensure quality or find chemical composition before it reaches the market,’’ he admitted.

Meanwhile,the Indian Oil Seeds and Produce Export Promotion Council,following increasing cancellations of export consignments by EU,has now sounded a warning to save exports,which is a clear indication that Aflatoxin level is going up in groundnut kernel produce.

Even as seminars and awareness drives have begun to save export contracts — which is only 5 per cent of the total yield in India — little attention is being paid to the fact that increasing Aflatoxin level can hit locals who consume the remaining 95 per cent of the 5 million tonnes of groundnut in various forms. There is still no quality test at any level: from farm to retail.

Experts say that technically,a very small amount of Aflatoxin,8-10 per cent,can cause liver cancer in young animals. For safe human consumption,the level of Aflatoxin has to be below 5 PPB. The situation can turn grave with time,with an increase of Aflatoxin in the produce. This year,30 per cent of the total 5 million tonnes of groundnut kernel produced is expected to be affected,the experts added.

While a sample from each and every consignment for export gets cleared for shipping only after quality approval by the government-approved laboratories,the lot meant for domestic market does not have to pass any quality test. Half of the 40 consignments rejected by EU were meant for bird feed,where Aflatoxin level was reportedly higher than the acceptable 8 PPB.

Sanghani further said that while export consignments pass through a standard channel of processing and shipping,locally,the products are purchased by multiple agencies from multiple sources. “In some cases,groundnut is purchased directly from the farmers,and in others,from marketing yards or agents making it difficult to keep track,” he added.

Experts call this an alarming situation. “Aflatoxin level in groundnut kernel,owing to excessive moist conditions,excessive use of pesticides,poor quality seeds and sub- standard storage facilities,has been increasing every year. Today,we can say that nearly 30 per cent of the total yield gets affected,’’ said G Mansukh of Jinit Agro Food Private Limited,a leading agriculture and export firm.

“So many steps like upgrading processing and transport facilities are being initiated to save export contracts. But there is a real need to upgrade standards to maintain quality of products meant for the domestic market,which remains unchecked,” said Mukesh Vora,a processing house owner.