[Determination and occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and dried milk products]

Basing on a review of the present situation of the contamination of milk and powdered milk products with aflatoxin M1 a further investigation is regarded as necessary to assess the hygienic toxicological situation. For this purpose the TLC detection method of Tuinstra and Bronsgeest is recommended, which was modified to be used with powdered milk and baby food. This method enables the detection of 0.04 micrograms M1/l milk and 0.5 micrograms/kg powdered milk respectively on practical conditions. Investigating 142 raw milk samples and 70 samples of powdered milk products only 2 positive powdered milk samples were detected. This relatively low contamination rate is explained by the use of feed that is predominantly produced in the GDR and that is vastly free from aflatoxins. According to these results it is possible to estimate the contamination of milk with aflatoxin M1 in the GDR as extremely low.