Sampling and preparation of samples of peanut butter for aflatoxin analysis

Procedures are discussed for sampling peanut butter and preparing those samples for alatoxin analysis. Special emphasis is placed on sampling the product from shipping pallets and comminuting chunk stype peanut butter in order to reduce the variability in the analysis associated with the nonuniform distribution of aflatoxin in the product. The slurry method of preparation is a convenient means of obtaining a sample which is representative of a nonhomogeneous product.