AFLATOXIN RESIDUES IN BACON PIGS

Abstract

Bacon pigs were fed diets containing 300 and 500 ppb aflatoxin B1 + B2 during a long period (120–231 days). When organs and tissues were examined for residues, sizable amounts of aflatoxin (max. 54 ppb) were detected. Since macroscopic alterations were slight in livers and absent in other organs and tissues, most livers and all other organs and carcasses could have passed meat inspection and been distributed for human consumption. This calls for careful control of animal feed, in order to avoid the use of heavily contaminated batches.