Understanding the Facts: Does Skippy Peanut Butter Have Aflatoxins?

October 7, 2025 •

5 min read

Aflatoxins are a group of toxins produced by certain fungi that can contaminate crops like peanuts, and consuming significant quantities can be harmful. This raises a valid question for many consumers: does Skippy peanut butter have aflatoxins, and what safety protocols are in place to prevent contamination?.

Quick Summary

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mold toxins that can affect peanuts. Reputable commercial brands like Skippy follow stringent food safety and testing protocols enforced by the FDA to keep contamination levels well below safety thresholds. Past recalls have occurred for specific lots, but these demonstrate the effectiveness of the monitoring system rather than widespread contamination.

Key Points

Low Risk: Aflatoxin contamination in commercial peanut butter like Skippy is very rare and kept at extremely low levels due to strict manufacturing and regulatory controls.
Rigorous Testing: Major brands employ sophisticated sorting and testing methods to remove contaminated peanuts before they can become a final product.
Past Recalls Demonstrate Safety System: A voluntary recall of a specific Skippy product in 2020 over potential aflatoxins shows that the safety system works to protect consumers, not that the brand is inherently unsafe.
Proper Storage is Key for Consumers: Consumers can minimize risk by buying from reputable brands and storing peanut butter in a cool, dry place after opening, though natural peanut butters benefit from refrigeration.
FDA Oversight: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regularly tests foods susceptible to aflatoxins, including peanut butter, and enforces safety limits.
Natural vs. Commercial: While homemade or small-batch peanut butter may seem safer, commercial brands like Skippy offer more consistent, rigorously tested, and therefore safer products regarding aflatoxins.

What Are Aflatoxins and Why Are They a Concern?

Aflatoxins are potent, naturally occurring toxins produced by specific molds, primarily Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These fungi thrive in warm, humid conditions and can contaminate crops in the field, during harvest, and in storage. Peanut crops are particularly susceptible to this type of mold, which produces toxins that can cause liver damage and, with long-term exposure, increase the risk of liver cancer. However, it is crucial to understand that the presence of the mold does not automatically mean the presence of aflatoxins, and strict measures are taken to prevent and minimize contamination in the food supply.

The Role of Regulatory Bodies

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a vital role in ensuring food safety by setting and enforcing strict limits on aflatoxin levels. The FDA conducts random checks on food products known to be susceptible to these toxins, such as peanuts and peanut butter. The regulations and monitoring processes in North America and Europe are so rigorous that human illness from aflatoxins in commercially produced foods is extremely rare.

Does Skippy Peanut Butter Have Aflatoxins?

For most consumers, the risk of aflatoxin contamination in Skippy peanut butter is very low due to the manufacturer's robust safety procedures and regulatory oversight. As a major commercial brand, Skippy, owned by Hormel Foods, employs stringent quality control measures at every stage of production, from sourcing the peanuts to the final packaging. The production process includes multiple steps to mitigate risk, such as advanced sorting techniques to remove damaged or discolored kernels and testing for contaminants.

Notable Past Recalls

While the risk is low, it is not zero, as demonstrated by past incidents. In September 2020, Hormel Foods voluntarily recalled a limited number of 16.3-ounce jars of Skippy Super Chunk Peanut Butter due to the possibility of slightly elevated aflatoxin levels. It is important to note that this recall was for a specific product size and date code and was done voluntarily to ensure consumer safety. This incident highlights that the system of checks and balances works effectively: when a problem is detected, action is taken immediately to remove the affected product from shelves. The incident does not indicate a chronic or widespread problem with the brand, but rather a rare failure in an otherwise robust system, which was swiftly addressed.

How Brands Like Skippy Minimize Aflatoxin Risk

Commercial peanut butter manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure their products are safe. Their multi-faceted approach involves:

Sourcing from trusted suppliers: They work with reputable peanut growers who follow best agricultural practices to prevent mold growth in the field.
Post-harvest handling: Fast and proper drying of harvested peanuts is crucial to inhibit fungal growth.
Advanced sorting: Modern processing plants use advanced technology, including electronic color sorting, to identify and remove discolored, damaged, or shriveled peanuts that are more likely to contain toxins.
Regular testing: Peanuts are tested for aflatoxins both before and after processing to ensure they meet safety standards.
Proper storage: Finished products are sealed in containers and stored in cool, dry conditions, as aflatoxins cannot form in peanut butter after it has been properly packaged.

Tips for Consumers to Reduce Aflatoxin Exposure

While commercial peanut butter is very safe, there are steps consumers can take to further minimize risk, particularly concerning nuts and other agricultural products:

Choose major commercial brands: These companies typically have more resources and stricter protocols for quality control and testing.
Inspect nuts and grains: When purchasing raw nuts or bulk products, avoid any that appear moldy, shriveled, or discolored.
Store properly: Keep nuts and peanut butter in a cool, dry place, and consider refrigerating natural peanut butter after opening to extend its freshness.
Check for recalls: Stay informed about potential recalls from the FDA or company websites.

Commercial vs. Homemade Peanut Butter: Aflatoxin Risk Comparison


Feature	Commercial Peanut Butter (e.g., Skippy)	Homemade or Small-Batch Peanut Butter
Aflatoxin Risk	Very Low	Variable (depends heavily on sourcing and storage)
Quality Control	Rigorous multi-stage sorting, testing, and processing enforced by regulatory bodies like the FDA.	Dependent on individual practices; potential for human error in sourcing or sorting.
Sourcing Transparency	Uses established supply chains with quality assurance protocols.	Sourcing can be unclear; peanuts from small local farmers may not have the same rigorous testing standards.
Recall Procedures	Formal and widespread recall system in place if a batch is found to have issues.	No formal recall system; consumer notification is inconsistent or non-existent.
Product Shelf Life	Longer shelf life due to stabilizers and controlled processing; aflatoxins do not form post-packaging.	Shorter shelf life; more susceptible to rancidity if not stored correctly.
Expert Oversight	Subject to regular audits and random checks by governmental agencies.	Little to no governmental oversight of the production process.

Conclusion

In summary, the claim that Skippy peanut butter is unsafe due to aflatoxins is largely unfounded based on current food safety standards. While peanuts are naturally susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, major commercial manufacturers like Skippy have comprehensive measures in place to ensure their products are safe for consumption. Past recalls, such as the limited one in 2020, serve as evidence that the system works to catch and contain potential issues rather than signifying a persistent danger. For the vast majority of consumers, buying a trusted, commercial brand and storing it correctly provides a high level of confidence in the product's safety. For further information on the broader context of food safety and aflatoxins, resources from health authorities like the National Cancer Institute can provide valuable insights into minimizing exposure.

What to Look For and How to Stay Safe

It is always wise to remain vigilant about the food you consume. Knowing what to look for and how to store products correctly are your best defenses against potential food safety issues, whether concerning aflatoxins or other contaminants. This includes checking for signs of spoilage in any food product and staying aware of any recalls issued by the manufacturer or FDA. By doing so, you can continue to enjoy nutritious peanut butter with peace of mind..

Frequently Asked Questions

The risk of becoming ill from aflatoxins in commercial peanut butter like Skippy is very low in the US due to strict testing and quality control measures imposed by the FDA and manufacturers.

No, not all peanuts or peanut butter are contaminated. While aflatoxins are a potential risk in peanuts, strict processing and regulatory controls ensure that contamination levels in commercial products are kept below safe limits.

In September 2020, Hormel Foods voluntarily recalled a limited number of 16.3-ounce jars of Skippy Super Chunk Peanut Butter due to the possibility of slightly elevated aflatoxin levels. This was an isolated incident handled through a formal recall process.

Companies use rigorous processes, including sourcing from trusted farms, advanced electronic sorting to remove moldy kernels, and regular lab testing of the peanuts and final product to ensure safety.

No, you cannot visually detect aflatoxins. However, you should discard any nuts or nut butters that appear moldy, shriveled, or have an off-smell, as these are signs of poor quality that could be associated with higher risk.

No, aflatoxin does not form in peanut butter after it has been properly packed. Proper storage in a cool, dry place is recommended to prevent rancidity and maintain quality, but mold growth is not a concern for sealed commercial products.

Commercial peanut butter from major brands generally has a lower and more controlled aflatoxin risk because it undergoes far more rigorous testing, sorting, and monitoring than is possible for homemade or small-batch products.