The Presence of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk and Dairy Products in Our Country and in The World

Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin with carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic effects on human health, commonly seen in animal feeds, cereals, milk, and products produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus molds. AFM1 is synthesized when animals consuming feeds containing AFB1 metabolize this mycotoxin in their bodies. The level of AFM1 found in milk and its products varies from country to country, geographical location, seasonal change, and storage process. Therefore, many countries have implemented various research and control programs to reduce the risk of exposure to AFM1. Each country, taking into account its own conditions, has limited the AFB1 level in feeds and determined or recommended the maximum AFM1 levels that can be found in milk and dairy products. Various studies have been conducted on the presence of AFM1 in milk and dairy products in our country. In this review, AFM1 levels in milk and dairy products produced in our country and in the world were examined.