UN strengthens regulations on melamine, seafood, melons, dried figs and labelling

The UN food standards body has agreed on new regulations to protect the health of consumers across the world. Aflatoxins, a group of mycotoxins produced by molds, are toxic and are known to be carcinogenic. They can be found in a variety of products such as dried fruits, nuts, spices and cereals at high levels if the produce is not stored properly. The Codex Alimentarius Commission, jointly run by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and WHO, has now agreed on a safe maximum limit of 10 mg/kg for dried figs, together with details on how test sampling should be conducted. Read the World Health Organization news release here.