Prevalence of aflatoxin M1 in pasteurized and ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk marketed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The aim of this study was to determine the level of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in pasteurized and UHT milk marketed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. AFM1 in pasteurized milk samples (75) and ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk (43) was determined by using immuno-affinity high performance liquid chromatography. AFM1 was detected in 97% (115/118) of samples that consisted of 96% (72/75) of pasteurized milk samples and 100% (43/43) of UHT milk samples. About 82% of the contaminated pasteurized and UHT had AFM1 levels above EU acceptable levels (0.05 µg/L). However, none of the contaminated pasteurized and UHT milk sample had levels of AFM1 above the maximum recommended Codex limits (0.5 µg/L). The results indicate that the contamination of the samples with AFM1 at such level could pose a serious public health problem. Thus, regular monitoring of AFM1 levels in milk is important in order to protect consumers.