Occurrence and exposure assessment of Aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products in India

Milk containing Aflatoxin M-1 (AFM(1)) poses a serious health risk to consumers. Present study was undertaken to determine levels of AFM(1) 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 AFM(1) with overall concentrations ranging from nd - 2.608 mu g/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). AFM(1) 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 AFM(1) 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.