Aflatoxin M1 in Breast Milk, Cow Milk and Milk Products in Minna, Nigeria and their Predisposing Factors

Herein is a focus on incidence and levels of Aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) in milk of breast feeding mothers, cow milk and vended milk products within Minna, Nigeria obtained by analysis of 140 samples of milk and milk products using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The findings reveal; incidence of 77.5% in human milk, and suggests that diet, socioeconomic status and ethnicity influence exposure. Nomadic cow milk samples had the highest incidence of 80%, cheese had 40% incidence, nono had 35% incidence, commercial cow milk had 25% incidence and yoghurt had 10% incidence. In a total of 69 contaminated samples, 51 were at levels above (0.05 g/L) the EU and Nigerian legislated limit. Exposure to AFM 1 from milk and milk products at concentrations demonstrated in this investigation is of great concern as infants in the country are encouraged to be exclusively breast fed for six months after which alternative milk intake sometimes from animal origin can be sourced. Established carcinogenicity and growth impairing potentials of AFM 1 stands as sources of concern and hence the need for enforcement of the legislated limit by regulatory agencies in Nigeria.