Aflatoxin M1 in Manufactured Dairy Products Produced in the United States in 1979

Abstract

In a 1979 survey of manufactured dairy products (992 samples of nonfat dry milk, vanilla ice cream, yogurt, Cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese) for aflatoxin M1 contamination, one sample, a cottage cheese, had detectable aflatoxin equivalent to .08ng/ml in the milk from which the product was made. Samples were taken by Food and Drug District inspectors from randomly selected establishments at three times throughout the year. The distribution of sample quotas to each District was weighted to double the representation of establishments in the southern tier of states. The conclusion from this survey is that in a “normal” year aflatoxin M1 should not be in a manufactured dairy product in the United States at a level in excess of that from milk with .1ng aflatoxin M1/ml.