How Nuclear Technology is Testing Pistachios for Toxins

Pistachios, once a treat enjoyed primarily by royalty, can harbour deadly and carcinogenic aflatoxins - but a new nuclear technique has been helping.

Legend has it that the Queen of Sheba, whose empire spanned present-day Yemen to Ethiopia, loved pistachios so deeply that she prohibited ordinary citizens from cultivating them and reserved them exclusively for the royal court. Ancient civilizations, from the Persians to the Greeks and Romans, used this nut not only to cook but also to treat various illnesses such as inflammation. Today, pistachios are more popular than ever. In 2022 alone, over one million tonnes of pistachios were produced globally, with top producers including Iran, the United States and Turkey.

But as demand rises, so does concern over a toxic hitchhiker that the pistachio may carry: aflatoxins.

So how can we continue to enjoy pistachios without worrying about unintended health issues? Enter nuclear technology.

The IAEA and partners have found an innovative nuclear technique to detect these toxins faster, cheaper and more effectively than ever before, making the consumption of pistachios safer for everyone. Being used since 2023, the technique is now applied by more and more countries worldwide.