Aflatoxins occurrence in milk and feed in Northern Italy during 2004–2005

Aflatoxin B1, a common occurring type of aflatoxin in feed, is a potent cancer-causing agent. Lactating cows fed with aflatoxin-contaminated feed trasmit the toxin, as the metabolic form aflatoxin M1, into the milk with high risk for consumers. The aim of this study is to determine the contamination degree of raw milk and feed in Valle d’Aosta region. From the beginning of 2004 to the end of 2005 samples of raw cow’s milk and cattle feed has been analysed: in 2004, the presence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and B1 in feed was higher than the maximum allowable in 1.7% of raw milk samples and in 8.1% of feed samples. In 2005 the presence of these aflatoxins are below the limits of EU regulations. The samples were analysed with an ELISA immunoassay, used as screening test, and the positive samples were confirmed by the HPLC analysis.