SANITARY ASSESSMENT OF WALNUTS IMPORTED FROM CHINA

Abstract

The research objective was to determine compliance of imported walnut products with technical regulations. This article presents a sanitary assessment of the quality and safety of walnuts imported from the People's Republic of China and sold in food markets in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The relevance of this research is driven by the high level of nut consumption among the population, combined with the risk that imported products may become contaminated with mycotoxins and other hazardous substances when storage, transportation, and distribution conditions are not observed.

During the study, walnut samples were collected from retail outlets in various regions of Kazakhstan. The assessment was conducted using organoleptic, physicochemical, and laboratory methods. Particular attention was paid to determining the content of aflatoxin B₁, one of the most toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins that poses a health hazard to humans. The results showed that most samples complied with established standards in terms of organoleptic parameters. However, in some samples, aflatoxin B₁ concentrations exceeded the maximum permissible limits, indicating possible violations of sanitary requirements during production, storage, or transportation. Based on the obtained data, measures are proposed to strengthen veterinary-sanitary control at the customs border and during walnut sales in the domestic market, aimed at reducing mycotoxin contamination risks and ensuring the food safety of the population.