The Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin M₁ in Yoghurt Samples from Hamadan, Iran

Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) is a hepatocarcinogenic and hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B₁, detected in milk and milk products.

The aim of our research was to determine the incidence and risk assessment of AFM₁ through the consumption of yoghurt in Hamadan province of Iran.

Fifty yoghurt samples were gathered from various areas of Hamadan province, Iran and tested for AFM₁ by ELISA technique. The estimated daily intake (EDI) and the liver cancer incidence of aflatoxin M₁ were determined.

AFM₁ was detected in 43 (86%) samples, (mean: 28.56 ng/kg; range: <5-98.65 ng/kg). The level of AFM₁ in 9 (18%) samples was above the maximum tolerance limit (50 ng/kg). The AFM₁ intake through yoghurt consumption in various population groups ranged from 0.016 to 0.032 ng/kg bw/day in mean consumers and 0.019 to 0.046 ng/kg bw/day in high consumers.

The AFM₁ intake through yoghurt contributed a slight part from the overall incidence of liver cancer in the Iranian population. From the findings of the current study, it can be derived that although the high percentage of yoghurt samples in Iran proved to be contaminated with AFM₁ contents, did not show a public health concern considering the European Commission (EC) and the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) maximum limits.