Chemical contamination of milk represents a relevant food safety concern, particularly in countries where systematic monitoring programs are still limited. In Algeria, information on human exposure to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination remains fragmented or lacking. This study assessed the occurrence of AFM1 and 17 PFAS in cow and goat milk and explored farm-level management practices potentially influencing contamination. Bulk-tank milk samples were collected from 26 dairy cattle and 11 dairy goat farms. Farm characteristics, including feeding strategies, water sources, grazing practices, and herd size, were recorded using structured questionnaires to characterize farm-level practices and explore their potential association with contamination patterns. AFM1 was detected in all samples. In cow milk, 96.1% exceeded the EU limit (0.05 µg/kg), with concentrations ranging from 0.048 to 0.410 µg/kg (mean: 0.102 µg/kg), although none exceeded the Codex Alimentarius limit (0.50 µg/kg). Goat milk showed a lower prevalence of samples above the EU limit (36.4%), but higher concentrations were observed (range 0.030–0.578 µg/kg; mean 0.193 µg/kg), with two samples (18.2%) exceeding the Codex limit. PFAS contamination was generally low: 73.0% of cow and 64.0% of goat samples were below detection limits, with only PFBS (cow milk) and PFDA (goat milk) quantified above LOQ. Because of the limited number of farms and the single sampling period, no robust associations could be established between farm-level variables and contaminant concentrations. This preliminary study provides an exploratory overview of AFM1 and PFAS occurrence in bovine and goat bulk milk from the sampled Algerian farms. These findings reveal widespread AFM1 contamination within the investigated farms, consistent with possible feed-borne AFB1 exposure, whereas PFAS occurrence appeared sporadic and generally low.
Aflatoxins, toxic metabolites produced by Aspergillus species, are frequently reported contaminants of dairy cattle feed worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where climatic conditions favor fungal growth, and they can be transferred into milk and dairy products. Their presence poses major public health risks, including liver cancer and growth impairment, among others. Understanding the extent of carryover from feed to milk is critical for food safety and regulatory control. A systematic review was conducted to synthesize evidence on aflatoxin carryover in dairy systems over the past two decades. Literature searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Studies investigating aflatoxin levels in dairy feed and milk, as well as carryover rates, were included. Data extraction focused on contamination levels, feed treatment efficiency and carryover rates of aflatoxins as well as mitigation measures. Twenty-seven eligible studies were identified. Aflatoxin B1 concentrations in dairy feed ranged from undetectable to 598 µg/kg. In milk, AFM1 levels reached up to 22.2 µg/kg, with reported carryover rates as high as 15%. The findings highlight variability in contamination across regions and production systems. This review underscores the continuing risk of aflatoxin in dairy products, identifies knowledge gaps and emerging threats, and emphasizes the need for improved interventions to safeguard food safety and public health.
Q. Nji, R. T. Fagbohun, O. Adebo et al.· Journal of animal physiology...· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Aflatoxins are highly toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain species of Aspergillus that can contaminate food products and pose significant health risks to humans and animals. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and contamination levels of total aflatoxins (total AF) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in maize flour marketed in Jiroft City, Kerman Province, Iran, and to assess the associated dietary exposure and health risk. Forty commercially packaged maize flour samples were collected from various local markets and supermarkets during June and July 2023. The concentrations of total AF and AFB1 were quantified using competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All analyses were performed in duplicate to ensure reproducibility and accuracy. Detectable concentrations above the assay limit of detection (LOD) were found in 27 (67.5%) samples for AFB1 and 28 (70%) samples for total AF. Notably, AFB1 levels exceeded the European Commission (EC) permissible limit of 2 μg/kg in 14 samples (35%), while total AF levels were above the EC limit of 4 μg/kg in 8 samples (20%). Furthermore, 4 samples (10%) surpassed the regulatory threshold of 5 μg/kg for AFB1, while none exceeded the allowable limit of 30 μg/kg for total AF, as established by the Iran National Standards Organization (INSO). The estimated daily intake (EDI) of AFB1, calculated based on maize flour consumption and average body‐weight data for the adult population, was 2.29 × 10−4 μg/kg body weight/day. The calculated margin of exposure (MOE) was 1748.25, which is below the reference value of 10,000, indicating a potential health concern for consumers. Overall, the findings indicate that aflatoxin contamination in maize flour marketed in Jiroft remains a food safety concern and highlight the need for routine monitoring and strengthened quality control measures to minimize consumer exposure.
Z. Mashak, A. Heshmati, Amir Sasan Mozaffari Nejad et al.· Food Science & Nutrition· 0 citations
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain among the most persistent threats to food safety in peri-industrial agropastoral systems, yet long-term, multi-species surveillance data capable of disentangling environmental, biological, and regulatory determinants of contamination remain relatively scarce in the European literature. This study presents results from a ten-year monitoring program (2016-2025) of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in raw milk from bovine, ovine, and caprine farms reared within the industrially impacted territory of Taranto, southern Italy. A total of 671 samples were analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and contamination dynamics were modeled using linear mixed-effects regression accounting for farm distance from the industrial perimeter, animal species, and sampling year. PCBs exhibited a significant inverse relationship with distance, whereas pure PCDD/Fs showed no measurable spatial gradient, a pattern consistent with their greater soil persistence and likely reflecting decades-long environmental homogenization. Caprine and ovine milk consistently and substantially exceeded bovine concentrations across all contaminant classes, confirming small ruminants as the most sensitive sentinel species. A significant increasing temporal trend was attributable to sustained soil contamination and to the progressive, deliberate concentration of monitoring on sentinel high-risk holdings. These findings provide a transferable evidentiary basis for species-differentiated, soil-informed surveillance design in European territories affected by legacy industrial contamination.
Conforti Virginia, Capuozzo Flavia, Dimuccio Michela Maria et al.· Environmental Research· 0 citations
Trichothecene mycotoxins of the type A group—specifically T-2 and HT-2 toxins—are highly toxic metabolites produced by Fusarium species and are common contaminants in poultry feed, posing risks to animal health and food safety. This study evaluated the occurrence and concentrations of these toxins in broiler feed collected from farms in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, over a four-year period (2020–2023). A total of 278 feed samples were analyzed using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Mean toxin concentrations showed a significant downward trend, declining from 85.53 µg/kg in 2020 to 32.45 µg/kg in 2023. Despite this reduction, considerable variability was observed, with the highest concentration in 2023 reaching up to 935 µg/kg, well above the European Commission guidance value of 250 µg/kg. Although average levels across the four years (32.45–85.53 µg/kg) remained below regulatory thresholds, sporadic high contamination represents an ongoing threat to poultry health and a potential source of toxin residues in poultry products. These results underscore the need for routine feed surveillance and improved storage practices, and support the development of a national mycotoxin monitoring policy to strengthen feed safety in Iraq.
Niwar Bari· Kufa Journal For Veterinary...· 0 citations
Mycotoxin exposure is a major public health concern in Africa due to food insecurity that compromises food safety. Infants and young children are highly vulnerable due to immature immunity and higher food intake per body weight. However, data on mycotoxin exposure in Africa remain limited. This study investigated mycotoxin exposure in Nigerian infant-mother pairs and toddlers using biological samples (breast milk, infant/toddler urine) collected from three agro-ecological zones. Overall, 75.6% of all the samples tested positive for at least one mycotoxin. Zearalenone, aflatoxin M1, ochratoxin A, and citrinin were most prevalent across all sample types, with mean levels (ng/mL) of 4.1, 1.1, 1.2, and 2.0 in breast milk; 0.83, 0.78, 0.11, and 0.79 in infant urine; and 0.99, 1.0, 0.1, and 1.9 in toddler urine, respectively. No significant associations were found between mycotoxin contamination in breast milk and infant urine or between diet patterns across the regions and mycotoxin levels. Mycotoxin exposure assessment of infants/toddlers using the probable daily intake approach based on urinary biomarkers revealed high exposure to mycotoxins especially ZEN, OTA, and AFM1. The results suggest widespread exposure among the studied population and highlight the need for further research and interventions to reduce mycotoxin exposure, especially in vulnerable populations.
C. Chilaka, J. Obidiegwu, Augusta Chinenye Chilaka et al.· Science of the Total Environ...· 0 citations