Does Powdered Peanut Butter Have Aflatoxins? Answering Your Food Safety Questions

January 8, 2026 •

3 min read

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring toxins that can be produced by certain molds on peanuts, but the food safety measures in regulated markets like the US significantly reduce the risk of contamination. Still, many people have questions about the safety of newer products like powdered peanut butter: does powdered peanut butter have aflatoxins?

Quick Summary

While aflatoxins can be present in raw peanuts, the production of commercially available powdered peanut butter involves rigorous processing and testing that drastically reduces toxin levels, making it safe to consume.

Key Points

Low Risk: Commercially produced powdered peanut butter has a very low risk of significant aflatoxin contamination due to rigorous processing and testing.
Processing is Key: Industrial processing steps like roasting, blanching, and sorting remove most aflatoxins from peanuts before they are turned into powder.
Regulated Safety: The FDA and USDA enforce strict limits on aflatoxin levels in commercial peanut products, ensuring consumer safety.
Sourcing Matters: Reputable brands source peanuts from growers with controlled agricultural and storage practices, further reducing the initial risk.
Consumer Precautions: Buying from trusted brands and practicing proper storage are the best ways for consumers to minimize any minimal remaining risk.
Contrasting Risk: Unregulated or homemade peanut butter carries a significantly higher risk compared to commercial, regulated varieties.

What Are Aflatoxins and How Do They Affect Peanuts?

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain fungi, primarily Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which can grow on crops like peanuts, corn, and cottonseed. These fungi thrive in warm, humid conditions.

Known carcinogens, aflatoxins are linked to increased liver cancer risk. High exposure can lead to aflatoxicosis. However, in regulated areas, controls prevent high contamination levels in consumer products.

The Production Process of Powdered Peanut Butter

Powdered peanut butter is made by pressing roasted peanuts to remove most oil. The resulting defatted material is dried and ground into a powder. This process reduces fat and calories.

Commercial processing stages, from sourcing to packaging, include food safety measures to reduce potential toxin levels.

How Processing Minimizes Aflatoxin Contamination

Industrial processing significantly reduces aflatoxin exposure. A 2011 study showed that roasting and blanching could reduce aflatoxins by up to 89% in regular peanut butter production. Powdered varieties undergo further processing.

Key processing stages that reduce aflatoxins:

Sourcing and Selection: High-quality brands use peanuts grown to minimize mold and discard damaged ones.
Cleaning and Shelling: Removes surface contaminants.
Roasting: High heat can destroy some aflatoxins.
Blanching and Sorting: Removes skins and discolored peanuts.
Pressing for Oil Removal: An additional step for powdered varieties that further refines the product.

Regulatory Oversight Ensures Safety

Agencies like the FDA and USDA monitor peanut products in the U.S., setting action levels for total aflatoxins at 20 parts per billion (ppb). The National Peanut Board notes there have been no human aflatoxin illness outbreaks in the US. This contrasts with higher contamination in some unregulated markets.

Powdered vs. Regular Peanut Butter: Comparing Aflatoxin Risk

Both types undergo processing to minimize aflatoxins, but differ in processing and nutritional profile. The table below compares their risks.


Feature	Powdered Peanut Butter	Regular Peanut Butter	High-Risk (Unregulated/Homemade)
Aflatoxin Risk	Very Low	Very Low	Higher
Primary Processing	Roasting, pressing oil, grinding	Roasting, grinding, emulsifying	Variable, no industrial controls
Aflatoxin Reduction	Significantly reduced through multi-stage process	Significantly reduced by roasting, sorting, blanching	Minimal to none without proper controls
Regulatory Control	Subject to FDA/USDA standards	Subject to FDA/USDA standards	None
Consumer Control	Check brand reputation, proper storage	Check brand reputation, proper storage	Dependent on source and preparation

How to Ensure Your Powdered Peanut Butter is Safe

To be extra cautious, consumers can:

Buy from Reputable Brands: Choose major commercial brands from regulated countries with strong quality control.
Inspect for Mold: Look for any signs of mold or discoloration and discard if questionable.
Store Properly: Keep in a cool, dry place and follow instructions to prevent mold growth after opening.
Avoid Homemade Risks: Be aware that unregulated or homemade products may have higher contamination risk.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Powdered Peanut Butter and Aflatoxins

Commercially produced powdered peanut butter is safe regarding aflatoxins. While raw peanuts can have mold issues, modern processing effectively removes or destroys toxins. Strict regulatory oversight ensures levels are below dangerous thresholds. For more information, consult the National Peanut Board's Mythbusters. The risk from aflatoxins in reputable powdered peanut butter is negligible, allowing consumers to enjoy its benefits without concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Aflatoxins are a group of poisonous, cancer-causing compounds produced by certain fungi, primarily Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, that grow on agricultural crops like peanuts, corn, and tree nuts.

Both powdered and regular peanut butter from reputable, regulated manufacturers are considered very safe. Both undergo processing steps that drastically reduce aflatoxin levels. The pressing process for powdered peanut butter is an additional filtering step.

Roasting peanuts at high temperatures can destroy some of the aflatoxins, but it does not eliminate all of them. It is one of several important processing steps that reduce overall toxin levels.

Aflatoxins are odorless, tasteless, and colorless, so they cannot be detected by sight or smell. The best protection is purchasing from reputable brands and trusting their quality control and regulatory compliance.

It is highly unlikely. In regulated countries like the US, strict food safety measures and inspections by the FDA prevent products with dangerous levels of aflatoxins from reaching the market. There have been no human illness outbreaks from aflatoxins in US peanut products.

The FDA maintains an action level of 20 parts per billion (ppb) for total aflatoxins in peanut products intended for human consumption. The peanut industry voluntarily applies an even stricter limit of 15 ppb for products like peanut butter.

Store powdered peanut butter in a cool, dry place. Ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent moisture from getting in, as mold thrives in warm, humid conditions.