Aflatoxins in cow milk in Sri Lankan market

Aflatoxins,

Aflatoxins (AF) are powerful toxic substances. According to International Agency for Research on Cancer of the WHO, AFs are Group 1 carcinogen, produced by certain fungi found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn), peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts. Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus are the main fungi producing AFs and they can be mainly found in warm and humid regions of the world. AFs of major concern are B1, B2, G1, G2  and M1.

AFM1 is found in milk of dairy cattle whom have consumed AFB1 contaminated feed. 

Average local milk consumption in Sri Lanka is 60 litres/person/year. Local study revealed that 37.3% UHT milk samples had AFM1 levels above the Codex limit (ML 0.5 ppb for AFM1 in milk) 

The EU ML 0.05 ppb for AFM1 in milk and 0.025 ppb for infant milk.Sri Lanka has not yet established a ML

Chronic exposure to AFs -Liver and other types of cancer, Birth defects, Children become stunted, Immunosuppression – decrease resistance to infectious agents (e.g. tuberculosis)

AFs in milk is directly related with the quality of the concentrate feed provided to lactating cows. High temperature and/or humidity, poor quality of feed ingredients and feed storage conditions mainly affect the quality of cattle feed.