Aflatoxin Testing in Food | NABL Accredited | FSSAI & EU Compliance

Aflatoxin testing detects and quantifies the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens in the food supply — mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus moulds in grains, spices, nuts, and dried fruits. Auriga Research provides NABL-accredited aflatoxin analysis using HPLC with fluorescence detection and LC-MS/MS, from laboratories in Bangalore, Delhi, Gurugram, Baddi, and Bahadurgarh serving food exporters, manufacturers, and importers across India.

Aflatoxins are a leading cause of Indian food and spice export rejections at EU ports. FSSAI allows total aflatoxins up to 30 ppb in cereals, but the EU limit is only 4 ppb for products intended for direct human consumption — a sevenfold difference. Indian exporters of spices, groundnuts, figs, and maize must test to EU standards before shipment to avoid costly border rejections, product destruction, and port recall fees.

We test all four regulated aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2) simultaneously and also offer Aflatoxin M1 testing in milk and dairy products, Ochratoxin A in cereals and coffee, and multi-mycotoxin screening panels for comprehensive food safety assurance.

Aflatoxin Tests We Perform

Each toxin is mapped to its FSSAI / EU limit so QA and export teams can match scope to the applicable regulatory benchmark at a glance.

AFB1

Aflatoxin B1

Most toxic aflatoxin and IARC Group 1 carcinogen — FSSAI limit 10 ppb.

AFB2

Aflatoxin B2

Dihydro analogue of B1.

AFG1

Aflatoxin G1

Green-fluorescent aflatoxin commonly found in peanuts and corn.

AFG2

Aflatoxin G2

Dihydro analogue of G1.

Total AF

Total Aflatoxins

B1 + B2 + G1 + G2 — FSSAI limit 30 ppb; EU limit 4 ppb for finished foods.

AFM1

Aflatoxin M1 — Milk

Aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products — FSSAI limit 0.5 ppb.

AFM1

Aflatoxin M1 — Infant Formula

Aflatoxin M1 in infant formula — FSSAI limit 0.025 ppb (strictest dairy limit).

Multi-tox

Multi-Mycotoxin Screen

Aflatoxins + Ochratoxin A + Fumonisins + Zearalenone + DON by LC-MS/MS.

High-Risk Commodities

Groundnuts / peanuts and peanut butter
Maize (corn) and corn flour
Chilli, paprika, and mixed spice blends
Pistachio, almond, cashew, walnut
Figs, raisins, and dried apricots
Rice and rice flour
Cottonseed and groundnut oil
Cumin, coriander, and black pepper
Nutmeg and mace
Animal feed and compound feed
Dairy milk (aflatoxin M1)
Baby food and infant formula

Regulatory Limits Reference

Aflatoxin / Matrix FSSAI Limit EU Limit Codex
Total (B1+B2+G1+G2) — cereals, spices 30 µg/kg 4 µg/kg (human) 15 µg/kg
Aflatoxin B1 — all foods 10 µg/kg 2 µg/kg
Total — groundnuts before processing 30 µg/kg 15 µg/kg 15 µg/kg
Total — baby food and infant formula 10 µg/kg 0.1 µg/kg (B1)
Aflatoxin M1 — milk 0.5 µg/kg 0.05 µg/kg 0.5 µg/kg
Aflatoxin M1 — infant formula 0.025 µg/kg 0.025 µg/kg

Limits are subject to regulatory updates. Verify current limits with FSSAI and EU regulations before shipment.

Turnaround Time

Method Standard TAT Express
HPLC-FLD (FSSAI reference method) 5–7 business days Available
LC-MS/MS (confirmatory) 7–10 business days On request
Aflatoxin M1 in milk 5–7 business days Available
Multi-mycotoxin panel 7–10 business days On request

Who Needs This Testing

  • Grain and cereal processors needing FSSAI batch release on maize, rice, sorghum, millets, and pulses.
  • Spice exporters shipping chilli, paprika, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and nutmeg to EU, US, and GCC markets where aflatoxin is the leading rejection cause.
  • Nut and dry fruit brands sourcing groundnuts, pistachios, almonds, cashews, walnuts, figs, and raisins.
  • FSSAI compliance teams responding to surveillance findings or contesting a Form-IX notice with an NABL-accredited counter-report.
  • EU-bound exporters requiring pre-shipment aflatoxin certificates against the stricter EU MRLs of 2 µg/kg (B1) and 4 µg/kg (total).
  • Dairy and infant formula manufacturers testing aflatoxin M1 against the FSSAI 0.025 µg/kg infant limit.
  • Animal feed and compound feed manufacturers preventing carry-over to milk via Aflatoxin M1.
  • Importers and quality teams at retail chains, QSR, and HoReCa verifying supplier mycotoxin compliance.

Why Auriga for Aflatoxin Testing

NABL-accredited HPLC-FLD and LC-MS/MS in-house

Both the FSSAI reference HPLC-FLD method and confirmatory LC-MS/MS at sub-ppb sensitivity available on the same platform — no partner-lab dependency for trace-level work.

FSSAI and EU MRL compliance in one report

A single CoA reports both the FSSAI limit (30 µg/kg total cereals, 10 µg/kg B1) and the stricter EU limit (4 µg/kg total, 2 µg/kg B1) so domestic and export compliance are confirmed in one round of testing.

Arbro Group analytical heritage

Established analytical heritage through the Arbro Group (Arbro Lab since 1990, Auriga Research since 2007), with NABL ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation — the audit trail FSSAI, EIC, and international buyers look for in a mycotoxin partner.

Dual NABL + FSSAI notification + EIC recognition

Reports carry evidentiary weight in FSSAI proceedings and are accepted by EIC Export Inspection Agencies for dispatch certification of spices, groundnuts, and grains.

Five regional labs

Delhi, Gurugram, Bangalore, Baddi, and Bahadurgarh — closer to your processing or warehousing site means lower sample-courier risk and faster despatch for time-critical export shipments.

Multi-mycotoxin panels under one roof

Aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, M1) plus Ochratoxin A, Fumonisins, Zearalenone, and DON quantified in a single workflow — useful for cereal and feed surveillance programmes.

How It Works

1

Get a Quote

Share your product type and the parameters you need tested. Your dedicated SPOC will confirm the testing scope, the applicable method, and the exact sample quantity required for your specific panel before you dispatch anything.

2

Send Your Sample

Dispatch your sample with a completed Test Request Form to the nearest Auriga lab. Each sample is individually bar coded and registered in YLIMS, Auriga's in-house Laboratory Information Management System, upon receipt. Testing begins within 24 hours of sample registration.

3

Testing and QA Review

Your sample is tested against the confirmed validated method by Auriga's scientific team. Every result passes through a formal internal QA review and sign-off before the report is generated.

4

Receive Your NABL Report

Your NABL-accredited test report is delivered digitally within the committed turnaround time. Reports carry Auriga's NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and are accepted by FSSAI, APEDA, EIC, and major international buyers. You can track your sample status in real time through YLIMS at any point in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are aflatoxins and why are they dangerous in food?
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus moulds that grow on agricultural commodities in warm, humid conditions. There are four main aflatoxins: B1, B2, G1, and G2 (classified by their blue or green fluorescence under UV light). Aflatoxin B1 is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) — the highest carcinogenicity classification. Chronic low-level exposure causes liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma); acute high-dose exposure causes aflatoxicosis with liver failure, which can be fatal. Aflatoxin M1, a metabolite of B1, is excreted in the milk of lactating animals that consume contaminated feed.
What are FSSAI limits for aflatoxins in food?
FSSAI Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations 2011 set the following limits: Total Aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2): 30 µg/kg (ppb) for cereals, oilseeds, and their products. Aflatoxin B1: 10 µg/kg for all foods except infant formula. Aflatoxin M1 in milk: 0.5 µg/kg (ppb). Infant formula has stricter limits: Aflatoxin M1 ≤0.025 µg/kg. Baby foods: total aflatoxins ≤10 µg/kg. Products exceeding these limits are deemed adulterated and unsafe for human consumption under FSSAI regulations.
What food products most commonly fail for aflatoxins?
High-risk commodities include: Groundnuts (peanuts) and peanut products — highest aflatoxin prevalence globally. Maize (corn) and maize flour — contamination during harvest and storage. Spices — particularly chilli, paprika, cumin, black pepper, and nutmeg. Tree nuts — pistachios, almonds, cashews, walnuts, and Brazil nuts. Figs and dried fruits — high moisture during drying promotes mould growth. Rice — especially in tropical storage conditions. Edible oils — groundnut oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil. Animal feed — contaminated feed leads to aflatoxin M1 in milk.
What methods are used for aflatoxin testing?
Auriga Research uses HPLC with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) after immunoaffinity column cleanup — the FSSAI reference method and internationally accepted approach for regulatory compliance. For higher sensitivity and confirmation, we use LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry), which achieves detection limits in the sub-ppb range and simultaneously quantifies all four aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2). ELISA rapid screening kits are used for initial batch screening; positive ELISA results are confirmed by HPLC or LC-MS/MS. Aflatoxin M1 in milk is analysed separately by HPLC-FLD or LC-MS/MS after liquid extraction.
What is the EU limit for aflatoxins and how does it differ from FSSAI?
EU Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 sets much stricter aflatoxin limits than India: Total aflatoxins: 4 µg/kg for cereals, nuts, and spices intended for direct human consumption (vs 30 µg/kg in India). Aflatoxin B1: 2 µg/kg for direct consumption (vs 10 µg/kg in India). Groundnuts before processing: total aflatoxins ≤15 µg/kg. Infant and baby food: aflatoxin B1 ≤0.1 µg/kg; total aflatoxins ≤0.1 µg/kg. Indian exporters of spices, groundnuts, and grains to the EU regularly face shipment rejections due to aflatoxin levels that comply with FSSAI but exceed EU limits. Pre-shipment testing to EU standards is strongly recommended.

Get Aflatoxin Testing for Your Products

NABL-accredited HPLC and LC-MS/MS aflatoxin analysis for FSSAI and EU export compliance. Reports in 5–10 days from labs in Bangalore, Delhi, Gurugram, Baddi, and Bahadurgarh.

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