Exposure assessment on aflatoxin M from milk and dairy products-relation to public health.

Background-aim: Aflatoxin M (AFM) contaminates milk and dairy products that are widely consumed foods. Therefore, there is increased concern for human exposure to the toxic action and the negative health effects that AFM presents. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination levels with AFM, of dairy products available in the Greek market (Thessaly), and also to estimate the relevant nutritional exposure.

Methods: A total of 52 infant milk, 25 Feta cheese and 32 pasteurized milk samples were randomly selected from the market. The determination of AFM was based on indirect immunoenzymatic ELISA method with two analytical packages; namely Tecna (Italy) and Prognosis Biotech (Greece), for comparison purposes, strictly following the manufacturer's instructions. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of AFM through dairy consumption and the relevant hazard index (HI) were calculated.

Results: The levels of AFM, in all samples tested, were below the tolerable maximum level of 50 ng/L for milk and 25 ng/L for infant formulas (EC Regulation 1881/2006), while concentrations were very low (0.23-9.38 ng/L for infant formula, 0.54-4.09 ng/L for cheese and 0.20-17.84 ng/L for pasteurized milk). The exposure assessment revealed that infants, toddlers and children were the most exposed groups in AFM via milk and formula consumption (0.65, 0.35 and 0.35 respectively). The HI was also noticed higher in those ages, with the maximum value to reach 1.90. Though, for feta cheese the exposure was calculated as very low (EDI: 0.01 and HI: 0.05). Comparing the two analytical packages used, no statistically significant difference was found (p-value >0.05).

Conclusions: Milk and dairy products tested were found safe for consumption, regarding the AFM levels. From a public health perspective, the results are satisfactory, given that the population exposure to AFM, based on the nutrient profile, was rather limited.