In June 2025, the American Peanut Council was successful in achieving the discontinuation of a proposed international standard for aflatoxin levels in ready-to-eat (RTE) peanuts. The decision occurred at the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF) meetings in Bangkok.

The discontinuation of the RTE aflatoxin proposal protects U.S. peanut exports from facing potential trade barriers tied to impracticable and non–science-based standards. U.S. peanut exports were valued at nearly $890 million in 2024, with key markets including Canada, Mexico, EU, China, and Japan, many of which rely on Codex-aligned standards in their import regulations.

For years, APC had raised concerns about a proposal to establish a separate aflatoxin limit for RTE peanuts, pointing out that Codex already has a global standard of 15ug/kg for peanuts intended for further processing (FFP). According to APC, the proposal lacked the necessary data and risk assessments to justify a new standard, an argument that ultimately prevailed.

The decision was the result of years of technical analysis, engagement and persistence by APC and the peanut industry.  APC worked closely with the U.S. government delegation to Codex, providing detailed analysis and industry perspective.

The CCCF also adopted an updated Code of Practice (COP) for controlling aflatoxin for further processed peanuts, a development supported by APC. The revised COP includes updated best practices for managing aflatoxin from pre-harvest through storage and processing. APC worked closely with U.S. shellers to provide substantive input to the U.S. delegation during the drafting process.