Certification Requirements for Organic Peanut Production

Farmers growing organic peanuts must meet specific criteria set by the USDA and OMRI. Two challenges are using the correct and proper plant stands and controlling weeds effectively. A minor challenge is insect and disease control as it can decrease production use. However, it can be difficult to plant seeds that have not been treated with fungicides and/or plant in areas that use these. 

This source from North Carolina provides information on:

General Agronomic Practices

Weed Management 

Insect Management

Disease and Nematode Management

Current Research in North Carolina

Class Certification Granted to Farmers

In 2020, some farmers and farms were given class certification by Judge Raymond Jackson in Virginia after accusations were made against major peanut shelling companies for “participating in anti-competitive activities.” This source stated:

“…the initial complaint was filed in September 2019 by peanut farmers who sell runner peanuts, known as shellers, to the defendants for shelling, processing, and selling. They claimed that the prices have stayed “remarkably flat” since 2014, despite changes in supply and value. The defendants reportedly have an 80 to 90 percent market share in the industry.”

The class included farmers who sold peanuts to the defendants since 2014. Almost 12,000 farmers were affected and satisfied. 

The Peanut Pros Certification Program

This program is offered by the National Peanut Board (NPB) for registered dieticians. Individuals who take up the program will complete eight, fifteen-minute modules at their own pace. These modules include: “History of Peanut Growing and Farming Techniques; Peanut Nutrition 101; Plant-Based Food Trends and The Accessible, Affordable Peanut; Peanuts Role in Maintaining Health; Fueling the Athlete in You; Peanut Allergies – Facts and Support for Patients, Clients, and Consumers; How Peanuts Can Fit in School Nutrition; and Unlocking Unconventional Uses of Peanuts and Peanut Butter in the Kitchen.”

Individuals must also complete post-assessment quizzes and surveys.

The price for organic peanuts at Wegman’s is $4.69 while the price for regular peanuts is $5.69. 

To calculate the Organic Price Premium percent, the following formula is used: Org. Price Prem (%) = 100% x (Org. Price – Non-org price) / (Non-org price)

OPP% = 100% x (5.69 – 4.69) / 5.69

OPP% = .18

Original Price Premium: 18%

In 2021, the United States planted 1.63 million acres of peanuts and harvested 1.59 million acres. Georgia planted a total of 830,000 acres, the largest amount of any state. Alabama planted 180,000 acres, and Florida planted 175,000 acres. A total report for crops can be found from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) 2021 planted acreage report, and a chart on peanuts from the report can be found below. 

The last time organic peanut acreage was reported was 2005 (as of 2018). 11,940 acres were certified organic. All but 4 acres were located in New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. Those 4 acres were located in Georgia. While Georgia leads in peanut production (as of 2021), New Mexico had 54% of the acreage of organic peanut production.

In 2011, 2066 acres of peanuts were certified organic. Since around 3000 pounds of peanuts account for an acre, 6,198,000 pounds of peanuts produced and sold were organic. In 2020, over 6 billion total pounds of peanuts were produced in the US. Most of those peanuts were processed into peanut butter. In fact, the United States uses about half of its edible peanuts for peanut butter, with a total of $850 million in retail sales per year.

How to Reduce Exposure

Farmers and agriculture workers growing crops that can lead to aflatoxins must follow regulations set by the government to prevent contamination of the crops and food. Prevention includes “rigorous cleaning, shelling, sorting, and blanching (removal of peanut skins)… random checks of products… and [removal] of products from sale that fail food safety standards.” Individuals can reduce their risk of exposure by only purchasing major commercial brands of nuts and nut butters. It is also important to check purchased products, especially shelled peanuts, and dispose of them if they appear moldy, discolored, or shriveled. As of 2018, no outbreak of human illness caused by aflatoxins has been reported in the US. 

Exposure and Adverse Health Effects

People may be exposed to aflatoxins by eating foods contaminated with the toxin or by eating byproducts of livestock that ate contaminated food. Exposure is also possible by breathing in the mold, putting farmers at risk. It is not known what level of toxicity is dangerous for humans, but it is known that the toxicity can lead to negative health effects. Mild forms include a rash, headache, and nausea. More severe forms can cause cancer and/or damage to the liver and/or kidneys, impaired blood clotting, and immunosuppression. People more at risk include those that are underweight, immunocompromised, or have unsafe water. There is no treatment for aflatoxin poisoning.

Aflatoxins: What and Where Are They?

According to the National Cancer Institute, “Aflatoxins are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as corn, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.” They often form due to improper storage or harsh weather. There are four types of aflatoxins, but the most common (B1) is the most common, is highly toxic, and can cause cancer. Aflatoxin contamination is most common in the southern US and leads to millions of dollars of loss for crops exposed to the toxins every year. Sampling for the aflatoxins must result in less than 20 parts per billion (ppb). Africa and Asia have had a history of high levels of aflatoxin exposure for local crops, but these high levels are not as common in the US due strict rules set by the government to ensure safety. Outbreaks have also occurred in Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania. While the US has regulations for food protection, the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control have been working towards setting regulations in place worldwide to focus on aflatoxin contamination.

Aflatoxins 

Aflatoxins, natural poisons from the mold aspergillus flavus and aspergillus parasiticus, is often found growing on peanuts, tree nuts, and corn. Not all peanuts are exposed to aflatoxins, but if someone eats contaminated products, they too are exposed to the poison. These poisons can lead to hepatitis, liver cancer, and liver cirrhosis. 

Peanut Butter Recalls

While not common, peanut and peanut butter recalls have occurred in the United States. In 2009, a major recall occurred due to an outbreak of Salmonella from a Georgia peanut butter plant. This outbreak caused 714 individuals to fall ill and 9 deaths. It also lead to recalls of 3,913 products produced by 361 companies. 

Plain Peanut Spread distributed from Rhode Island was contaminated with Listeria and lead to a recall of 4,143 jars in Virginia, Arizona, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Alabama, Indiana, and Florida in 2020. It did not lead to illness or death.