Variranja aflatoksina M1 u sirovom mlijku i mliječnim proizvodima u Srbiji u posljednje četiri godine /Variations of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk and dairy products in Serbia for last four years

Abstract

The presence of aflatoxins in food and feed are of great concern worldwide because of their health concerns. The occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in human breast milk, commercially available milk, and dairy products is one of the most serious problems of food safety. The aim of this review study was to analyse variations of AFM1 in raw milk and dairy products in Serbia for last four years. During this period, depending on seasons, a high AFM1 concentration in raw milk and dairy products occurred in Serbia. It resulted in periodical changing of the official regulations regarding maximum levels (ML) of AFM1 by the Serbian Government. The high AFM1 contamination in raw milk and dairy products were happened in Serbia in 2013 when 62.3 % and 33.1 % of raw milk and heat treated milk samples, respectively, were above EU maximum level (0.05 µg/kg). Increased levels of AFM1 in milk and dairy products during the 2013 were consequence of extreme weather conditions in 2012 that enabled elevation of B1 aflatoxins in animal feed. In 2014, AFM1 concentration above EU ML in raw and heat treated milks were 11.3 % and 0 %, respectively, indicating significantly decreased compared to 2013. However, in 2015 the AFM1 level again was increased and 29.25 % of raw milk and 4.21 % of dairy product exceeded the EU ML. These results indicate that situation regarding safety of dairy products has been improved, but still is essential to introduce monitoring programs for primary milk producers in order to avoid their losses.