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Milk containing Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) poses a serious health risk to consumers. Present study was undertaken to determine levels of AFM1 in 146 milk and value added dairy products sold in retail markets of Chhattisgarh, India using HPLC coupled with fluorescence detector. A total of 52 samples (35.6%) were found to contain AFM1 with overall concentrations ranging from nd − 2.608 µg/L. The contamination levels were higher in non-fermented milk products than fermented milk products samples, although this difference was statistically non-significant (p > 0.05). AFM1 concentrations above maximum permissible limits established by the European Commission were found in 94.2% of positive samples. Health risk assessments ascertained that the estimated daily intakes for AFM1 is higher than the established tolerable daily intakes for both adults and children (Hazard Index > 1), there by implying a potentially high risk to consumer's health. Current investigation provides valuable information regarding contamination of raw as well as value added milk products sold in Indian markets. Therefore, to protect consumer's health and promote dairy trade; there is an urgent need to increase farmer's knowledge on good storage practices of feed and fodder. Further, stringent enforcement of food safety regulations is imperative to safeguard and promote human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out with the objectives to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw milk and identification of associated risk factors from three different types of animal farming systems. A total of 189 pooled raw milk samples were tested for AFM1 with enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) as screening and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) as confirmatory techniques. AFM1 was found positive in 58% pooled milk samples with the mean level of 0.917 µg/L, while 50.8% and 36.5% samples were found above the legal limits set by European Commission (EC) and Food safety and standard authority of India (FSSAI), respectively for AFM1 in milk. Among all investigated risk factors, feeding of readymade concentrate feed and leftover household cereals, longer feed storage duration and feed storage quality were found significantly associated with presence of AFM1 in farm milk. High prevalence as well as levels of AFM1 in farm milk poses a health risk to the consumers especially children. Therefore, efforts are urgently required to create awareness among dairy farmers about aflatoxins contamination of feed and milk, to improve farm management practices and to control AFM1 level in milk below the legal limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a toxic and carcinogenic metabolite secreted in milk of dairy animals which have consumed the aflatoxin B1 contaminated feedstuff. In this study, 230 different types of milk samples comprising raw, pasteurized and ultra-high temperature treated milk were collected from three different geographical sites of Punjab during different seasons and analysed for the presence of AFM1 by using ELISA as screening, and HPLC with fluorescence detection as confirmatory method. Of total, 51% samples were detected positive for AFM1, while 45% and 38% samples were found with AFM1 levels higher than the tolerance limits established by the European commission and Food safety and standard authority of India respectively. Results of study indicated a high incidence and levels of AFM1 in different types of milk during all seasons. Owing to this, there is a potential risk of liver cancer in people of Punjab, India especially children due to milk consumption. Therefore, strict regulatory actions are urgently required to control AFM1 level in milk below the legal standard limits. There is need to initiate routine examination of dairy animal feeds for aflatoxins to reduce animal and consequently human exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]