[Examination of Aflatoxin M₁ Contamination in Milk and Milk Drinks Available in Fukuyama City]

To determine the relationship between seasons and regions and aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) contamination of milk distributed in Fukuyama City, we conducted a survey once during the summer and once during the winter between June 2018 and January 2019. We compared the AFM₁ contamination levels in milk drinks available in Fukuyama City during the same period, to provide more about the factors causing AFM₁ contamination. All milk samples examined exhibited AFM₁ contamination levels below the standard AFM₁ contamination level (0.5 μg/kg). For the comparison based on seasons, one milk sample collected in the summer (0.07 μg/kg) exceeded the EU limit (heat-treated milk: 0.050 μg/kg). However, there was no significant difference in the AFM₁ contamination level (p>0.05). For the comparison based on regions, the AFM₁ contamination level in the milk sample from the Chugoku Region was significantly higher in the winter and significantly lower in the summer compared to those from other regions. AFM₁ contamination of milk did not have a direct relationship with seasons or regions, but was instead influenced by the type, amount, and management of feed supplied to dairy cattle. For the comparison between milk and milk drinks, the AFM₁ contamination levels in milk drinks were significantly lower (p<0.01). The highest AFM₁ concentration (0.08 μg/kg) was detected in one sample of milk drink sampled during the summer. The AFM₁ contamination of milk drinks is likely affected by the level of contamination in raw materials, the proportion of such raw materials in the drinks, and the process type. An increase in non-fat milk solids was assumed to be a factor that increases AFM₁ contamination.