Aflatoxin and Dairy Products: A Review

Abstract

Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus fungus. Continuous monitoring of aflatoxins in the entire food chain, from the field to milk and milk products is very important, as it grows readily in favourable condition. It causes major economic losses and adversely affects the animal and human health including infants and children. Public should be aware towards ill effects of aflatoxin. In all countries, there should be regulation of AFM₁ in milk and its products to protect consumers specially children. This toxin cannot be inactivated by thermal processing used in dairy industry. HACCP is considered as an effective method for control of aflatoxins in food supply. Feed given to cattle should be free from aflatoxin. Many environmentally sustainable pre or post-harvest methods like proper irrigation, genetically resistant crop strains and bio-pesticide management can be applied to reduce the contamination of aflatoxins in food chain.