Aflatoxin Limits for Spices Explained
EU aflatoxin B1 and total-aflatoxin maximums, plus ochratoxin A, for chilli, paprika, pepper, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric.
- Ochratoxin A limit
- 15 (20 for dried chillies)µg/kg
- Reg. (EU) 2023/915 — maximum levels for certain contaminants
Aflatoxin and OTA limit table
Aflatoxins are mould toxins produced mainly by Aspergillus species on inadequately dried or poorly stored spices. The EU sets separate limits for the most toxic single aflatoxin (B1) and for the sum of the four, under Reg. (EU) 2023/915.
| Parameter | EU maximum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aflatoxin B1 | 5 µg/kg | Most toxic single aflatoxin |
| Total aflatoxins | 10 µg/kg | Sum of B1, B2, G1 and G2 |
| Ochratoxin A | 15 µg/kg | 20 µg/kg for dried chillies |
| Spices in scope | as listed | Dried chillies, paprika, pepper, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric |
Where aflatoxin comes from
- Aflatoxin develops when spices are dried too slowly, wetted after drying, or stored warm and humid. It cannot be removed once formed, so control is preventive, not corrective.
- The limits apply to dried chillies, paprika, pepper, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric. Ochratoxin A carries a slightly higher 20 µg/kg ceiling for dried chillies.
- Benzo[a]pyrene, a separate PAH contaminant, is capped at 10 µg/kg and is worth screening alongside aflatoxin in fire-dried lots.
Buyer controls
Buy from origins and seasons with reliable drying, hold moisture down, and require a lot-specific aflatoxin certificate of analysis before shipment. Aflatoxin failures are a recurring driver of RASFF alerts on spices, so a pre-shipment result is cheaper than a border rejection.
Frequently asked
What is the EU aflatoxin limit for spices?
Aflatoxin B1 is capped at 5 µg/kg and total aflatoxins at 10 µg/kg for dried chillies, paprika, pepper, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric under Reg. (EU) 2023/915.
What is the ochratoxin A limit for chilli?
Ochratoxin A is 15 µg/kg for the listed spices, with a higher 20 µg/kg ceiling specifically for dried chillies.
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Start a sourcing enquiry →What this page does not tell you
- Aflatoxin limits for unlisted spices
- Limits for spices outside the named group are not in our verified set; check the current regulation per spice.
- Sampling plan
- The official sampling and analysis method that governs how a lot is judged is not restated here as figures.
Reviewed 16 July 2026.
Sources
- Reg. (EU) 2023/915 — maximum levels for certain contaminants· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- RASFF Window — EU rapid alert for food and feed· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16