Survey of the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in cheeses produced by dairy ewe's milk in Urfa city, Turkey

Abstract

The study was undertaken to determine the presence and levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in cheeses produced by dairy ewe's milk in Urfa city of Turkey. Fifty samples of cheese were analyzed for the occurrence of AFM1 using TLC. The cheese samples were purchased randomly from different markets. The presence of AFM1 was detected in concentrations between 20-2000 ng/kg in 14 of 50 samples (28%). Altogether, 5 cheese samples (10%) were found to have levels that exceed the legal limits of 250 ng/kg established by the Turkish Food Codex. It was therefore concluded that, widespread occurrence of AFM1 in ewe's milk cheese samples produced in Urfa city were considered to be possible hazards for human health. Continuous surveillance programme may be warranted to monitor regularly the occurrence of aflatoxins in foods and foodstuffs which consumed by human.