Estimate of aflatoxin M1 exposure in milk and occurrence in Brazil

The presence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was investigated in 125 samples of powdered milk, pasteurized milk and ultra high treated (UHT) milk in the city of São Paulo, and estimates of AFM1 intake were assessed. The samples were analysed using an immunoaffinity column for cleanup and a HPLC-FLD for determining AFM1. The quantification limit was 10 ng/kg. AFM1 was found in 119 (95.2%) at levels ranging from 10 to 200 ng/kg with mean concentration of 31 ng/kg. The average daily intake estimated for AFM1 was 1 ng/kg bw per day for children and 0.188 ng/kg bw per day for adults.