Assessment of aflatoxin M1 contamination in the milk of four dairy species in Croatia

- The AFM1 levels in cow, goat, sheep and donkey milk from Croatia were determined.
- In 15.2% of samples AFM1 concentrations exceeded quantification limit of the method.
- In 6.7% of cow milk from eastern Croatia AFM1 levels exceeded the EU limit.
- A significant difference between the cow milk from eastern and other part of Croatia were found.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentrations were measured in bulk cow milk samples from eastern Croatia, and in cow, goat, sheep and donkey bulk milk samples from other parts of Croatia during the period July-September 2013. AFM1 levels in milk were measured in the ranges (ng/L): cow 3.65-162.3 (eastern Croatia) and 2.69-44.9 (other regions of Croatia); goat 2.78-40.8; sheep 2.11-5.87; donkey 3.43-10.4. The concentration of AM1 exceeded the EU MRL in 6.7% of cow milk samples from eastern Croatia. The highest level measured was 162.3 ng/L. AFM1 levels exceeded the LOQ value (23.2 ng/L) in only 59 samples of cow milk and two samples of goat milk of the total 402 samples analysed. A significant difference was found between the mean AFM1 concentrations of cow milk from eastern and other regions of Croatia (P < 0.05). The elevated AFM1 levels in cow milk from eastern Croatia indicate the use of contaminated supplementary feedstuff in some farms during the study period.