The laboratories may adhere to the maximum level of aflatoxin set by Indonesia in addition to requirements such as pesticide residues, heavy metals and microbiological parameters for export of agri products
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VELANKANNI RAJ B
Indonesia is stepping up monitoring of high aflatoxin levels in peanuts and wheat imported from India. The Indonesian Quarantine Authority (IQA) has registered 17 food testing labs in mid-April to conduct testing on agri-products exported from India.
The approved laboratories have been advised by APEDA to strictly follow the procedures for the export of peanuts and peanut products concerning the criteria, requirements, and procedure to be followed for sampling, analysis and shipment stuffing. The laboratories may adhere to the maximum level of aflatoxin set by Indonesia in addition to requirements such as pesticide residues, heavy metals and microbiological parameters for export of agri products, APEDA said in an advisory.
Agri products account for a fifth of India’s total annual exports to Indonesia, which are valued at around $5 billion. Oilseeds, including peanuts, make up over a quarter of the total agri-shipments valued at around a billion dollars to Indonesia. Oilseeds are the largest agri produce exported to Indonesia, with shipments in value terms estimated at close to $273 million, followed by meat, dairy and tobacco, among others, in the April-February period of 2024-25.
Recurring non-compliances
According to APEDA, the IQA has conveyed that due to the recurring non-compliances reported in previous years on exceeding levels of aflatoxin in peanuts it will enhance its monitoring program on Indian products exported to Indonesia, particularly groundnuts and wheat. IQA will be increasing the inspection frequency to at least 50 per cent.
“It has also been decided by the IQA that in the event of any non-compliance detected during the monitoring process, the affected product will be subject to temporary suspension. In view of the above, the laboratories registered by IQA are advised to follow the guidelines of Indonesia, export procedure of APEDA and other quality requirements to avoid any non-compliance in export consignments. Any deviation in this regard shall be viewed seriously” APEDA said in an advisory.
Published on April 23, 2025
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