Screening of aflatoxin M1 occurrence in selected milk and dairy products in Terengganu,Malaysia

The study was conducted to screen the occurrence of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in 53 selected milk and dairy product samples (11 liquid milk, 12 powdered milk, 8 3-in-1 beverages, 6 condensed sweetened milk, 2 evaporated milk, 7 cultured milk drink, 5 yogurt and 2 cheese samples). These samples were purchased from selected markets in Terengganu, Malaysia in January 2014 based on a questionnaire survey among 212 respondents on the types and brands of milk and dairy products that were frequently consumed. Based on the responses, 53 milk and dairy products were purchased and the competitive enzyme-linked immune-absorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to determine the level of AFM₁ in the samples. Of 53 samples, 19 samples were positive with AFM₁ (35.8%) ranging from 3.5 to 100.5 ng/L. Although 4/53 (7.5%) of the tested samples had the contamination level greater than the European Commission (EC) limit (>50 ng/L), the contamination levels were still below the Malaysia Food Regulation 1985 limit (less than 500 ng/L). This study provided a pioneering data on the occurrence of AFM₁ in milk and dairy products in Malaysia.     

Aflatoxin M1 in milk and traditional dairy products from west part of Iran: Occurrence and seasonal variation with an emphasis on risk assessment of human exposure

In the present study, a total of 358 samples consisting of raw milk of cow (n = 64), goat (n = 56) and sheep (n = 52); traditional cheese (n = 40), yoghurt (n = 42), Kashk (n = 40), Doogh (n = 44) and Tarkhineh (n = 20) were analyzed for aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) by using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Frequency of AFM₁ and its concentration ranges in the ELISA positive samples were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD). AFM₁ contamination was 84.3%, 44.6% and 65.3% for cow, goat and sheep raw milks, respectively. Moreover, AFM₁ was in 65.5%, 23.8%, 14%, 13.6% and 35.0% of cheese, yoghurt, Kashk, Doogh and Tarkhineh samples, respectively. Percentages of cow milk, goat milk, sheep milk and cheese samples exceeding the EU limit were 35.9%, 11.1%, 26.9% and 10%, respectively. HPLC analyses confirmed the ELISA results although the percentages of AFM₁ contamination in raw milk and dairy products were lower than that of ELISA. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the mean AFM₁ contents of raw milk, cheese and yoghurt samples during winter and summer seasons. Our study demonstrated that there is a potential risk for liver cancer due to the consumption of milk and dairy products in Iranian consumers.     

Variation of aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk and milk products collected during winter and summer seasons

Total 221 samples of milk and milk products were collected during winter (November 2011–February 2012) and 212 samples were collected during summer (May–August 2012) from central areas of Punjab, Pakistan. The samples were analyzed for the presence of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) with a validated HPLC method equipped with florescence detector. The results revealed that from winter season almost 45% samples of milk and milk products were found to be contaminated with AFM₁ i.e. 40% of raw milk, 51% of UHT milk, 37% of yogurt, 60% of butter and 43% of ice cream samples and 27, 24, 25, 34 and 17% of samples were found above the recommended limit for AFM₁, respectively. However, from summer season 32% samples of milk and milk products were found to be contaminated i.e. 36% of raw milk, 31% of UHT milk, 29% of yogurt, 40% of butter and 24% of ice cream and 23, 23, 18, 20 and 5% of samples were found above the permissible limit for AFM₁, respectively. The levels of contamination in winter milk and milk product samples were significantly higher (α ≤ 0.05) than in summer season. The occurrence of AFM₁ in milk and milk products were higher, demanding to implement strict regulations and also urged the need for continuous monitoring of milk and milk products in order to minimize the health hazards.     

Two year survey on the occurrence and seasonal variation of aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products in Serbia

The incidence of contamination of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk and milk products samples collected in Serbia was investigated by using the competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. A total of 1438 samples composed of 678 raw milk, 438 heat treated milk and 322 milk product samples that were analyzed during the period of 2013–2014, including all seasons. The AFM1 levels exceeded the European Union maximum residue permitted amount (EU MRL) in 56.3% raw milk, 32.6% heat treated milk and 37.8% of milk product samples. Milk powders had the highest mean AFM1 concentration (0.847 μg/kg) of all types of milk products examined. Mean concentration of AFM1 in raw milk samples during the period of winter in Serbia was 0.358 μg/kg and did not significantly differ from the mean concentrations of 0.375 μg/kg during the spring. However, the AFM1 raw milk concentration in the summer (0.039 μg/kg) and autumn season (0.103 μg/kg) was significantly lower. Seasonal variation of AFM1 concentrations in heat treated milk samples followed the trend observed in raw milk. Mean raw milk AFM1 concentration has dropped down by 10 fold from 0.314 μg/kg in 2013 to 0.035 μg/kg in 2014. The fraction of raw milk samples exceeding the EU MRL has decreased from 62.3% to 11.5% by the end of 2014.     

Seasonal prevalence level of aflatoxin M1 and its estimated daily intake in Pakistan

Aflatoxin M₁ level was measured in 520 milk samples during autumn, winter, spring and summer seasons of 2013–14 in five districts of Southern Punjab-Pakistan. Analyses were performed by using enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) method. Aflatoxin M₁ was found positive in 93% milk samples in the range of 0.001–0.26 μg/l while 53% samples were found to exceed the European Union maximum Limit for aflatoxins M₁ i.e. 0.05 μg/l. The seasonal prevalence level of AFM₁ was found in the order of winter > spring > autumn > summer. Comparing the aflatoxin M₁ level during different day times, morning milk was found 37–50% more contaminated than evening milk. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of aflatoxins M₁ during different seasons of year for various age groups was found in the range of 0.22–5.45 ng/kg/day. Infants were found in the highest risk group while adults were in the lowest. The results of the study indicate that people of Pakistan are at high risk of health issues related with aflatoxins M₁.     

Effect of seasonal variations and lactation times on aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk of different species from Punjab, Pakistan

During October 2009 to September 2010, aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) levels were analyzed by HPLC-FLD in 356 milk samples of different lactating species (buffalo, cow, goat, sheep and camel) from Punjab (Pakistan). Recoveries of AFM₁ ranged from 92 to 97% and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.004 μg/L. For all lactating species the mean concentration of AFM₁ was significantly higher in winter season than in summer (p < 0.05). The results showed that 55, 56, 32, 58 and 27% of winter milk samples of buffalo, cow, goat, sheep and camel exceeded the EU maximum limit (0.05 μg/kg), compared with 38, 33, 21, 36 and 14% of summer milk samples, respectively. For all lactating species the mean concentration of AFM₁ was significantly higher in morning milks than in evening milks (p < 0.05). The percentage of morning milk samples exceeding the EU maximum limit was 72, 67, 69, 71 and 44% for buffalo, cow, goat, sheep and camel, while for evening milks percent non compliant rates were 39, 30, 18, 33 and 25%, respectively. The level of AFM₁ tended to be higher in animal species fed mainly on concentrate mixtures (buffalo and cow) than in other species grazing on fresh greens.     

A survey on the Aflatoxin M1 occurrence and seasonal variation in buffalo and cow milk from Southern Italy

This study evaluates the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in 804 samples of raw milk from cow and buffalo, collected randomly in Campania and Calabria regions of Southern Italy over a two years period.The competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to analyze AFM1 in the samples. AFM1 levels result above the CCβ value of 0.004 μg/kg in 51 (12.3%) cow milk samples and in 28 (7.2%) buffalo milk samples. Positive results from screening analysis were confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection (HPLC-FLD) after a procedure of centrifugation, extraction and immunoaffinity column clean-up of milk. Only one cow milk sample exceeded the maximum limit (0.05 μg/kg) set by the European Regulation.The occurrence of AFM1 contamination was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in cold season, particularly fall, than in warm season, principally spring.Our results indicate that feedstuff used in the buffalo and cow farms were not highly contaminated with aflatoxins, determining a good quality of the analyzed milk. Therefore, the AFM1 contamination of the milk does not represent a serious public health problem in both regions in Southern Italy.     

Transfer of chloramphenicol from milk to commercial dairy products – Experimental proof

The purpose of the study was to investigate the chloramphenicol (CAP) residue in dairy products after experimental CAP transferring from milk to butter, sour cream, white cheese and whey. In order to determine the CAP residue in dairy products, the new approach for the extraction process was developed. The original, simple and fast analytical method is based on QuEChERS and LC-MS/MS. The homogenized sample was extracted and partitioned after the adding of sodium chloride with acetonitrile. The experiment was conducted to check if CAP is transferred from milk to dairy products, and also to check the extraction of CAP from the different dairy matrices. Average recovery ranged from 97.8 to 102.8% and within-laboratory reproducibility was lower than 8.7%. The suggested method is sensitive, the calculated limit of decision (CCα) was from 0.06 to 0.10 μg kg⁻¹ and detection capability (CCβ) from 0.08 to 0.15 μg kg⁻¹. The results of the experiment (butter 4.86 μg kg⁻¹, sour cream 3.5 μg kg⁻¹, white cheese 2.36 μg kg⁻¹ and whey 0.14 μg kg⁻¹) and validation demonstrated that this method is suitable for determination and confirmation of CAP in a variety of dairy product matrices.     

Detection of aflatoxin M1 in milk products from China by ELISA using monoclonal antibodies

A rapid and sensitive indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method using monoclonal antibody for measuring aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk and milk products has been described. One monoclonal antibody was isolated and characterized after fusion of myeloma cells with spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice that had been immunized with AFM1 carboxymethyl oxime conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Cross-reactivities of the anti-AFM1 monoclonal antibody clone were 100, 13.9, 6.7 and <1% against AFM1, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin G1 (AFG1) and deoxynivalenol (DON), respectively. Assays of milk samples mixed with AFM1 ranging in concentration from 0.1 to 3.2 ng/ml gave mean ELISA recovery of 98%. The limit of detection concentration of AFM1 was 0.04 ng/ml. AFM1 contamination was measured in 12 samples of raw milk, 15 samples of powdered milk, 104 samples of liquid milk and four cheese samples collected from different supermarkets in Northeast of China. Of 135 milk samples tested, 55 (41%) samples contained AFM1 at levels that ranged from 0.32–0.50 ng/ml, 24 (18%) samples contained 0.16–0.32 ng/ml, and 18 (13%) samples contained 0–0.16 ng/ml; in 38 (28%) samples AFM1 was not detected. The results indicate that the necessary precaution will have to be taken to minimize the AFM1 contamination in milk and milk products from Northeast of China.     

Seasonal variation of aflatoxin M1 contamination in industrial and traditional Iranian dairy products

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) contamination in 682 dairy product samples consisting of raw milk of cow, goat and sheep; Lighvan cheese; and industrial and traditional yoghurt, Kashk and Doogh samples collected from popular markets and dairy ranches in four large Iranian cities. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) technique was used for analysis of the samples. Results showed that the incidence and levels of AFM₁ contamination in raw cow milk and industrial products (manufactured from cow milk) were higher than raw goat or sheep milk, and traditional products (made from goat and sheep milk), respectively. Moreover, seasonal variations influenced the concentration of AFM₁ in most of the analyzed dairy products. Owing to the abundance and popularity of the industrial products, contamination of these products in such a level could be a potential hazard for public health.     

Occurrence,seasonal variation and risk assessment of exposure to aflatoxin M1 in Iranian traditional cheeses

A total of 360 traditional cheeses consisted of Lighvan (n = 62), Koozeh (n = 62), Siahmazgi (n = 58), Khiki (n = 58), Talesh (n = 58) and Lactic (n = 62) collected from different parts of Iran were analyzed for aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Frequency of AFM₁ and its concentration ranges of all the ELISA positive samples were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD). AFM₁ was detected in 60.3%, 75.8%, 72.4%, 43.5%, 38.7% and 35.4% of Siahmazgi, Khiki, Talesh, Lighvan, Koozeh and Lactic cheeses, respectively with concentration ranging from 50.5 to 308.7 ng/kg, respectively. HPLC analyses confirmed the ELISA results although the rates of contaminated cheese samples were lower than that of ELISA. There was significant difference in AFM₁ level between various cheese types and samples collected from summer and winter seasons (P < 0.05). By comparing our findings with the EU limit, about 10.5% of cheese samples had exceeding values for the toxin. The results of the present study indicates that there is no health risk in consumption of Iranian traditional cheeses due to the presence of AFM₁.     

Assessment of aflatoxin M1 levels in pasteurized and UHT milk consumed in Prishtina,Kosovo

To assess public health hazards associated with the occurrence of AFM1 residues in pasteurized milk and UHT milk a survey was carried out, in Prishtina, capital city of Kosovo. In the present study, a total of 178 samples, 84 pasteurized milk and 94 UHT milk were collected during 6 months (July to December 2013). They were obtained from retail outlets in Prishtina city (Kosovo). The occurrence and concentration range of AFM1 in the samples were investigated by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. There was a high incidence of AFM1 (81.0%) in both pasteurized and UHT milk samples. Eighty three percent (83.3%) of the pasteurized milk samples and seventy eight percent (78.7%) of the UHT milk samples contained AFM1. The positive incidence of AFM1 in the pasteurized milk and the UHT milk samples ranged from 5.16 to 110 ng/L and from 5.02 to 62 ng/L, respectively. AFM1 levels in 18 (21.4%) pasteurized milk samples and 4 (4.2%) UHT milk samples exceeded the maximum tolerable limit of the EC according to the European Union regulation limits of 50 ng/L. AFM1 levels in the samples show that there is a presence of high AFM1 level that constitutes a human health risk in Kosovo. The results of this study imply that more emphasis should be given to the routine AFM1 inspection of milk and dairy products in the Prishtina region.     

Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in dairy products in Brazil

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and occurrence of aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) in dairy products produced in Brazil. A total of 123 samples of three different groups of dairy products (cheese, yoghurt, and dairy drinks) consumed by Brazilians were collected during 2010. All samples including 58 cheese samples, 53 samples of yoghurt and 12 dairy drinks were purchased from grocery stores in the Ribeirão Preto-SP area. Cheese samples were classified into three categories depending on their moisture and fat contents: Minas Frescal cheese, Minas Frescal light cheese and Minas Padrão cheese. Samples were analyzed for AFM₁ by a published method. The method comprised aqueous methanol extraction, immunoaffinity column purification and isolation, reversed phase liquid chromatography separation and fluorescence detection. AFM₁ was detected in 84% of the analyzed cheese samples (>3 ng/kg) with levels ranging from 10 to 304 ng/kg in 67% of the samples. AFM₁ was detected in 95% of the yoghurt and dairy drink samples with levels ranging from 10 to 529 ng/kg in 72% of the samples. Despite the lack of a Brazilian regulatory limit for AFM₁ in yoghurt and dairy drinks the survey data of this study may offer information useful in the determination of whether the occurrence of AFM₁ in Brazilian dairy products may be considered as a possible risk for consumer health and whether Brazilian regulatory guidelines for AFM₁ in dairy products are needed.     

Analysis of aflatoxin M1 and M2 in commercial dairy products using high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector

Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) and M₂ (AFM₂) in commercial dairy products were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector (FLD). To ensure an accurate analysis, two derivatization methods, bromination and aflatoxin–trifluoroacetic acid derivatization (ATD), were compared. The limits of detection (LODs) of the bromination method were 124.42–151.73 ng/kg, and the recovery rates were between 64 and 102%. The detection rates and concentration levels of AFM₁ were 6–74% and 14.48–270.94 ng/kg, respectively. AFM₁ was detected in 74% of milk powder samples and 36% of ice cream samples. The mean values of AFM₁ in milk powder and ice cream samples were 270.94 and 33.16 ng/kg, respectively. In the case of AFM₂, the detection rates were 2–10%, and the concentration levels were 20.62–55.67 ng/kg in milk and milk powder. Among milk and milk powder samples, ultra heat-treated (UHT) milk had lower AFM₁ contamination levels than pasteurized milk.     

Presence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and infant milk products in Tehran,Iran

Aflatoxins are highly toxic, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic compounds. The purpose of this survey was to determine natural occurrence and level of AFM₁ in pasteurized liquid milk, infant formula and milk-based cereal weaning food consumed in Tehran, Iran.A total of 328 branded milk products and liquid milk samples were collected and investigated by Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA).The samples of pasteurized liquid milk (n = 128), infant formula (n = 120) and milk-based cereal weaning food (n = 80) showed that the incidence of contamination with AFM₁ is 96.3%, the presence of AFM₁ in each group was 72.2 ± 23.5, 7.3 ± 3.9 and 16.8 ± 12.5 ng/kg, ranging between 31–113, 1–14 and 3–35 ng/kg, respectively.In general, the amount of AFM₁ in 100 (78%) of liquid milk samples and 24 (33%) of milk-based weaning food was higher than the maximum tolerance limit accepted by European Union, but in all of the infant formula samples was lower (European Communities and Codex Alimentarius has prescribed a limit of 50 ng/kg for AFM₁ in milk and 25 ng/kg in infant milk products).     

Antibiotic residues in meat,milk and aquatic products in Shanghai and human exposure assessment

In this study, we screened 20 common antibiotic (three tetracyclines, four fluoroquinolones, three macrolides, three β-lactams, four sulfonamides, and three phenicols) residues in 125 samples from common types of livestock and poultry meat, milk and aquatic products in Shanghai by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry in 2016 and assessed their role in human exposure by Monte Carlo Simulation. Overall, 15 out of screened antibiotics were found in these samples and the overall detection frequency was 39.2%. Antibiotics were found in 28.6% of livestock and poultry meat (35.3% for pork and 22.2% for chicken), 10.6% of milk, and 52.1% of aquatic products. Of aquatic products, the overall detection frequency of antibiotics was 91.7% for snakeheads, 81.8% for loaches, 76.9% for carps, 40.0% for yellow-head catfishes, and 16.7% for shrimps, but none was detected in swamp eels. Four human antibiotics were detected: azithromycin was detected in 50.0% of snakeheads and 5.1% of loaches, roxithromycin in 5.9% of pork, and chloramphenicol and cefradine respectively in 5.3% of milk. Enrofloxacin and trimethoprim exceeded the maximum residue limits in 7.7% of carps and 8.3% of snakeheads, respectively. The estimated daily exposure dose by Monte Carlo Simulation was less than 1 μg/kg/day. Antibiotic residues in aquatic products and their consumption accounted for 74.71% and 70.35% of overall variance of estimated antibiotic exposure for men and women, respectively. These findings indicated a high level of antibiotic residues in meat, milk and aquatic products and aquatic products were an important source for exposure of human to antibiotics.     

Determination of aflatoxin M1 in dairy cattle milk in Khartoum State,Sudan

Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins that contaminate various types of food and feedstuff leading to health risk in both humans and animals. Aflatoxin M1 (AfM1), the major metabolite of AfB1, was determined in dairy cattle milk samples of Khartoum State of Sudan using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. A total of 44 bulk dairy cattle milk samples were collected and analyzed. The percentage of AfM1 contamination has been found in 42/44 (95.45%) samples with contamination level ranging between 0.22 and 6.90 μg L⁻¹ and average concentration of 2.07 μg L⁻¹. AfM1 contamination in the samples of dairy cattle milk of Khartoum State of Sudan appears to be prevalent and may pose a public health problem at the moment. Awareness must be conveyed to producers, handlers and specialists.     

Occurrence of patulin in various fruit products and dietary exposure assessment for consumers in China

A quantitative method with broad applicability was developed and validated for patulin determination in fruit products by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. Sample pretreatment was optimized for patulin extraction. 4.0 g of fruit products was extracted for patulin determination with acetonitrile and purified with a mixture of 1.0 g PSA and 3 g MgSO₄ plus a multifunctional cartridge to remove interferences. Under optimized conditions, the recoveries ranging from 75.6% to 118.5% were obtained at different spiking concentrations in various fruit products. The correlation coefficient of patulin from 5 to 1000 μg/L was approximately 1.00. The limits of detection (LODs) were from 2.6 to 7.5 μg/kg, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were from 8.0 to 15.0 μg/kg for patulin in various fruit products. A total of 137 fruit products (97 dried fruits, 20 fruit juice and 20 jams) marketed and consumed in China were investigated. The incidence of patulin in fruit products was 30.7% (42/137) with a concentration ranging from 10.0 to 276.9 μg/kg. This study revealed that the dried figs, dried longans (seedless) and dried hawthorn products showed an average of patulin contamination of 87.6 μg/kg, 68.4 μg/kg and 5.1 μg/kg, respectively; the fruit juice of 5.4 μg/kg; the fruit jams of 5.0 μg/kg. The highest levels of patulin were found mostly in dried longans (seedless) and dried figs. Overall, 17.5% of total samples exceeded the maximum limit of 50 μg/kg set by the EU regulation. Chronic intake assessment indicated that only 0.29% (Hazard Quotient) acceptable daily intake (PMTDI, 0.4 μg/kg bw/day) was consumed through dried fruits, fruit juice and jams. Individual dietary risk assessment indicated patulin contamination in fruit products doesn't pose public health risks, but combined additive or synergistic toxic effects caused by multiple mycotoxin contaminations should not be ignored.     

Transfer of aflatoxin M1 from milk to ripened cheese in three Italian traditional production methods

Robiola and Primosale, two fresh cheeses, and Maccagno, an hard-type cheese, were produced using milk that was naturally and artificially contaminated with aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) at the levels of 10, 50 and 200 ng/l. Concentrations of AFM₁in milk and cheeses were determined by liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection, coupled with immunoaffinity column extraction. In the Robiola production method, AFM₁ levels in whey ranged between 30% and 65% of the total amount of the toxin present in the milk, while Primosale and Maccagno, that share the same rennet based cheesemaking procedure, showed an higher percentage of AFM₁ partitioning to whey.For each cheese-making method, the concentration of AFM₁ on fresh matter was higher in the cheese compared to the original milk. The fresh cheeses showed a concentration factors of 1.43 and 2.20 for Primosale and Robiola, respectively, whereas the Maccagno cheese showed a value of 6.71. For all the production methods considered, when using milk not exceeding the maximum acceptable level of 0.05 μg AFM₁/kg set by EU, the resulting cheese also complied with current Italian recommendations for AFM₁ contamination (450 ng AFM₁/kg).     

A study on the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk consumed in Kosovo during 2009–2010

To assess public health hazards associated with the occurrence of AFM1 residues in milk a survey was carried out, during 2009–2010 in six different major regions of Kosovo (Prishtina, Prizren, Peja, Gjakova, Mitrovica and Gjilan). In the present study a total of 895 milk samples were collected, 656 raw milk and 39 UHT milk were analyzed in 2009, while in 2010 the research materials consisted of 170 raw milk, and 30 UHT milk. The occurrence and concentration range of AFM1 in the samples were investigated by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. From 895 samples examined, 25(2.8%) samples were contaminated with AFM1; none of contaminated samples did not exceed the maximum tolerable limit of the EC according to the European Union regulation limits of 50 ng/L. In 2009, 20 out of 695 samples (2.9%) were positive, and in 2010, 5 out of 200 samples examined (2.5%) were positive. In UHT milk, AFM1 was detected in two samples (2.6%). The positive incidence of AFM1 in milk samples collected in 2009 and in 2010 ranged from 5.2 to 26.6 ng/L and from 6.3 to 9.81 ng/L, respectively. In UHT milk levels of AFM1 were 7.2 and 9.9. In terms of regional distribution of positive samples during 2009 and 2010, Peja was the region with most of positive samples 12 or (63.2%), and 5 or (100%), respectively. Due to the unpredictability of climatic and environmental conditions, it is essential that the program of monitoring of AFM1 in milk in Kosovo should continue, to avoid an undetected problem, like occurred in other countries.