Short communication: Investigation of aflatoxin M1 levels in infant follow-on milks and infant formulas sold in the markets of Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Aflatoxins are fungal toxins known to be carcinogenic and are classified as food contaminants. This study was performed to investigate aflatoxin (AF) M1 levels in baby foods sold in Ankara (Turkey) and to evaluate the obtained results according to the Turkish Food Codex (TFC). For this purpose, a total of 84 baby food samples (50 follow-on milks and 34 infant formulas) were obtained from different markets in Ankara and the presence of AFM1 in the samples was analyzed by ELISA. In 32 (38.1%) of 84 infant food samples, the presence of AFM1 was detected in concentrations ranging between 0.0055 and 0.0201 µg/kg. The mean level (± standard error) of AFM1 was found to be 0.0089 ± 0.0006 µg/kg in positive infant follow-on milks. Aflatoxin M1 was detected in only 1 infant formula sample (2.94%) at a concentration of 0.0061 µg/kg. The extrapolated levels of AFB1 contamination in feedstuffs were calculated based on levels of AFM1 in baby food samples. The data estimating AFB1 contamination in dairy cattle feedstuff indicate that contamination may range from 0.3410 to 1.2580 µg/kg, with the mean level (± standard error) being 0.5499 ± 0.0385 µg/kg, which is lower than the level set by the TFC and European Union regulations (5 µg/kg). According to the obtained results, the levels of AFM1 in analyzed samples were within the allowed limit (0.025 µg/kg) set in the TFC. Low levels of AFM1 in infant follow-on milks and infant formula samples obtained during the study do not pose a health risk to infants.

Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 and Heavy Metal Levels in Mothers Breast Milk in Famagusta, Cyprus

“…According to the Turkish Food Codex Regulations and European Communities and Codex Alimentarius, acceptable maximum limit is 20 ppt in baby food and 50 ppt in milk or other products for adults [46,66]. The mean of AFM1 levels found in this study was 7.84 ng/l and was compatible with some studies.…”

Aflatoxin M1 Determination in Infant Formulae Distributed in Monterrey, Mexico

“…Kanungo and Bhand [22] evaluated the AFM 1 presence in infant formulae in India, determining that in 72 evaluated samples, all of them were above the EU permitted limit (25 ng/kg) and 75% of the samples exceeded the USA and Indian Food regulation limit (500 ng/kg). Er et al [4] published a study evaluating the AFM 1 presence in infant formula in Turkey, evaluating 84 samples with only one sample positive for the toxin. In this sense, Li et al [14] detected the presence of AFM 1 in powder base for infant formulae in China, evaluating a total of 1207 samples, with 56 samples being positive for the toxin without passing the Chinese limit (62.5 ng/kg).…”

“…Numerous researchers have reported a linear relationship of about 0. [3][4][5][6].2% between the amount of AFM 1 detected in milk and AFB 1 in feed consumed by the animals [4]. Nevertheless, the percent of AFM 1 excreted depends on various factors, including concentration of AFB 1 in feed, milk yield, stage of lactation and breed [5].…”

Recent aflatoxin survey data in milk and milk products: A review

“…Nonetheless, in recent years, there have been many studies where the ELISA tests have been used for determining AFM 1 from pasteurised/Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk (Fallah 2010b;Santini et al 2013), infant formula (Er et al 2014), powdered milk (Guan et al 2011;Ali et al 2014Ali et al ), yoghurt (G€ urbay et al 2006, ice cream (Kazemi Darsanaki et al 2013) and cheese (Sarımehmetoglu et al 2004;Kaniou-Grigoriadou et al 2005;Yaroglu et al 2005;Ardic et al 2009).…”