U.S. Food and Drug Administration Guidelines for Aflatoxin Levels
Corn containing less than 20 parts per billion aflatoxin is considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in all animal feed. Corn exceeding 20 ppb can be fed only for specific age, weight, and production stage. Corn exceeding 300 ppb must be blended with corn containing little or no aflatoxin before feeding is allowed to specific age, weight, and production stage of livestock. Before corn can be blended for out-of-state shipment, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must be notified and permission obtained from the Missouri Department of Agriculture for this to be allowed.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines are as follows:
| Aflatoxin Level (parts per billion) |
Class of Animal | Commodities |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ppb | Dairy animals, animals not listed below, or unknown use | For corn, peanut products, cottonseed meal and other animal feeds and feed ingredients |
| 20 ppb | Immature animals | For corn, peanut products and other animal feeds and feed ingredients, but excluding cottonseed meal |
| 20 ppb | Pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.) of all ages | For corn, peanut products, cottonseed meal, and other food ingredients and complete pet food |
| 100 ppb | Breeding cattle, breeding swine, and mature poultry (e.g. laying hens) | For corn and peanut products |
| 200 ppb | Finishing swine (100 pounds or more) | For corn and peanut products |
| 300 ppb | Beef cattle, swine, poultry (Regardless of age or breeding status). | For cottonseed meal |
| 300 ppb | Finishing beef cattle (e.g. feedlot cattle) | For corn and peanut products |