What is the EU maximum level for aflatoxins in pistachios, and what RASFF notifications for aflatoxins in pistachios were reported in 2026, by origin country?
EU maximum levels: Under Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/915, as consolidated on 8 October 2025, the limits for pistachios depend on what happens to the nuts next. Pistachios placed on the market for the final consumer or used as a food ingredient may contain at most 8.0 µg/kg aflatoxin B1 and 10.0 µg/kg total aflatoxins (B1+B2+G1+G2). Pistachios that will be sorted or otherwise physically treated first may contain 12.0 µg/kg B1 and 15.0 µg/kg total. Origin breakdown: I couldn't get a by-country list of 2026 RASFF notifications for aflatoxins in pistachios. The datasets don't hold the RASFF register, and the official EU sources I found don't publish one.
Approach: I searched Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (the original act, its amendments and the current consolidated text), GB border notifications, Spain's AESAN alerts and official EU web sources. RASFF Window notifications themselves are not in the datasets I can search.
Maximum levels (Annex I, section 1.1, aflatoxins)
| Entry | Pistachios as… | B1 (µg/kg) | Sum B1+B2+G1+G2 (µg/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.8 | to be sorted or physically treated before sale to the final consumer or use as an ingredient | 12.0 | 15.0 [1] |
| 1.1.9 | placed on the market for the final consumer or used as an ingredient in food | 8.0 | 10.0 [2] |
Conditions that apply to these limits:
- In-shell nuts: if pistachios are analysed in shell, all the contamination is assumed to be on the edible part [2].
- Processed products: the pistachio limits also apply to products made only of pistachios, or at least 80% pistachios. Other foods fall under Article 3(1) and (2) [2].
- How the total is calculated: the sum limits are lower-bound, meaning results below the limit of quantification count as zero [1].
- Amendments: the only amending act that touches the aflatoxin section is Regulation (EU) 2024/1756. It aligns the wording of the oilseed exception in entry 1.1.4 and does not change the pistachio limits [3].
- Ochratoxin A: pistachios also have separate ochratoxin A limits of 10.0 µg/kg (to be sorted) and 5.0 µg/kg (final consumer) [4].
2026 import-control signals by origin (not RASFF data)
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Türkiye (EU): according to search snippets of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/194 of 28 January 2026, Member State official controls found a high rate of aflatoxin non-compliance in pistachios and pistachio products from Türkiye. The same applied to pistachios of US origin dispatched from Türkiye. The snippets say identity and physical checks on these goods were raised to 50%.
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Türkiye (GB, January 2026): the GB border notifications list two consignments refused for mycotoxins:
- "Pomegranate flavoured round type Delight with Pistachio", recorded as failing for aflatoxins, raised 08/01/2026 [5]
- "Confectionery containing Pistachio", raised 06/01/2026 [6]
A third Turkish pistachio paste consignment that month failed on documentary checks only [7]. These are UK border rejections, not RASFF notifications.
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Spain (AESAN): I found no 2026 alerts for aflatoxins in pistachios.
I can work through a RASFF Window export with you if you can share one, or check the full 2026/194 control list for pistachios (CN codes and certificate requirements).
Sources:
SOURCES · 7
- [1]Annex I: Aflatoxins [EU 2023/915 02023R0915-20251008] · p.3EU
- [2]Annex I: Aflatoxins [EU 2023/915 02023R0915-20251008] · p.4EU
- [3]Recital 11 [EU 2023/915 32024R1756] · p.1EU
- [4]Annex I: Ochratoxin A [EU 2023/915 02023R0915-20251008] · p.5EU
- [5]Pomegranate flavoured round type Delight with PistachioFSA
- [6]Confectionery containing PistachioFSA
- [7]Pistachio PasteFSA