This paper reports the analysis of 625 samples of shelled peanuts, mostly hand pick selected (HPS), during the years of 1988 (517) and 1989 (108) . Considering that the Brazilian legislation permits a maximum of 30 ¼g/kg of aflatoxin B1+G1, the results showed that in 1988, 52% of the samples (mostly corresponding to lots) were contaminated and in 1989, 34%. The average level of aflatoxin (B1 + G1) in the contaminated samples were 133.8 ¼g/kg in 1988 and 414.8 ¼g/kg in 1989, which can be considered high. The amount of utilizable lots by the food industry, was 67% in 1988 and 76% in 1989 (corresponding to the samples with the levels: not detected and under 30 ¼g/kg).
peanuts; aflatoxin; occurrence