Aflatoxin M1 in Milk and Dairy Products in Birjand, Iran: A Contribution to Human Health Risk Assessment

The objective of the current research was to examine the AFM1 contents in 150 milk and dairy product samples (including raw milk, UHT milk, yogurt, ice cream, and pasteurized milk) marketed in Birjand, Iran. The samples were analyzed utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). The total mean of AFM1 in the raw milk, UHT milk, pasteurized milk, yogurt, and ice cream was 50.22 ± 12.39 ng/L, 12.17 ± 5.52 ng/L, 35.49 ± 11.07 ng/L, 13.03 ± 4.06 ng/kg, and 116.79 ± 40.35 ng/kg, respectively. The AFM1 contents of all samples were within the US FDA standard limits (500 ng/kg). The amounts of AFM1 in 16 samples of ice cream exceeded the limits set by the Iran National Standard Organization (INSO, 100 ng/kg). The contents of AFM1 in 41 samples exceeded the EU regulation (50 ng/kg). Furthermore, the health risks resulting from AFM1 occurrence in samples were evaluated using the Monte Carlo simulation. The 95th percentile value of the hazard index (HI) and the margin of exposure (MoE) in total samples for children was 9.028 and 2206, respectively, while those for adults were 1.934 and 10,295. The 95th percentile value of quantitative liver cancer risk (CR) in total samples for children and adults was 0.261 and 0.056 cancers/year/per 10⁵ individuals. The risk assessment results indicated the potential health risk posed by AFM1 in milk and dairy products. The implementation of appropriate management policies is recommended to prevent and control AFM1 contamination of food and feed chains.