Validation of a lateral flow test (MRLAFMQ) for the detection of aflatoxin M₁ at 50 ng l⁻¹ in raw commingled milk.

Aflatoxin M₁ contamination in dairy products is a risk when feedstuff contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ produced by moulds is consumed by milk-producing animals. Milk can be screened for aflatoxin M₁ at the European Union maximum limit of 50 ng l⁻¹ by a lateral flow test, the MRLAFMQ (Aflatoxin M1) Test. The method takes 15 min with no milk dilution or a sample preparation step. The lateral flow assay was validated at the Technology and Food Science Unit of the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO-T&V) according to European Union guidelines using fortified raw milk samples. A detection capability of 50 ng l⁻¹ was demonstrated with a false negative rate lower than 2% at 50 ng l⁻¹ and a false positive rate of less than 0.3%. Quantitative readings had a mean bias of +2 to 6 ng l⁻¹ at 50 ng l⁻¹ with a standard deviation of 5-8 ng l⁻¹. Based on the validation results, the test could be considered appropriate for milk screening prior to milk unload at dairies.