A survey of aflatoxin M1 contamination in raw milk produced in urban and peri-urban areas of Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Food safety is of increasing global concern, and a OneHealth issue requiring attention of many disciplines. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by fungi and found in foods and feeds, and exposure causes negative health effects in humans and animals. When lactating animals consume aflatoxin B1, the metabolite (AFM1) is transferred to milk. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to determine characteristics of smallholder dairy farming in urban and peri-urban areas of Kisumu and quantify AFM1 in milk. Data was collected from 97 randomly selected dairy farms on farming practices, milk production, and awareness about aflatoxins. Collected milk samples were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for AFM1. Results: Average milk produced was 13 liters per day per household and mainly used for household consumption and sold to neighbours. Farmers mainly fed cows on forage and concentrates (62.9%). Levels of AFM1 ranged from below the detection limit to 151 ppt, with a mean of 29.67 ppt; 26.4% exceeding the EU limit. Concentrate feeding was associated with higher AFM1 levels (p = 0.002); with farms feeding concentrates more likely to have levels exceeding 50 ppt (OR = 10.1). Conclusion:In conclusion, milk produced by small holder dairy farmers in Kisumu County frequently is contaminated with AFM1, implying health risks for human and animals.

A systematic scoping review of the impacts of community food production initiatives in Kenya, Cameroon, and South Africa

“…19,21,26,29,32,39,54,57,64,131 Livestock farming was only identified in Kenya and South Africa, with seven studies (25.9% of the 27 studies reporting livestock farming) focused on dairy farming. 16,28,37,39,51,61,78 Studies identifying gardens as a CFPI were predominantly from South Africa (87.5%), as were studies focusing on urban agriculture (80%). In contrast, studies focused on fisheries were predominantly conducted in Kenya (66.7%).…”

<i>Aflatoxin</i> M1 (<i>Aspergillus parasiticus, flavus</i>) Occurrences in Milk and Milk Products and Its Possible Health Effects

“…However, it is stated that there is also a strong link between the different agricultural practices and modes of feeding systems of livestock and aflatoxin infection [16]. Li et al, Akbar et al, and Shokri and Toabi, for instance, identified higher quantities of AFM1 in milk and other milk products during winter compared to other seasons [15] [28] [29]. It is documented that, during summer, fresh feeds such as weed, pasture, and fodder are available in South Asia hence animal graze.…”

“…Kenya is the only country that constantly reports on AFM1 occurrence although others report seldomly [33]. In Kenya, studies by Kuboka et al 2019, and Anyango et al 2018 reported the presence of AFM1 in milk and milk products. The AFM1 levels reported exceeded both the US and the EU limits (mean of 290.3 ± 663.4 ng/kg) with 7.5% the US limit, 50% exceeding EU limit and 26.4% exceeding the EU respectively [28] [29] [34].…”

“…In this analysis, however, levels of AFM1 were not measured in milk or milk products instead, the analysis was based on the secondary data from previous findings [60]. A recent study [61] together with several studies [25] [27] [29] found higher limits of AMF1 in milk and other dairy products exceeding the EU limits. However, due to ethical issues concerning studies of this nature, there is no single experimental study in a human study on this subject matter.…”

Availability and use of mycotoxin binders in selected urban and Peri-urban areas of Kenya

“…This study was conducted in selected urban and peri-urban areas of the Nairobi (Kasarani sub-county) and Kisumu counties, where smallholder dairy farming is common and aflatoxins are encountered in the milk sold (Anyango et al 2018;Kagera et al 2019) (Fig. 1).…”