Background: The presence of Aflatoxin M۱ (AFM۱) in dairy products results from the ingestion of feedstuffs contaminated with aflatoxin B۱ by ruminants. The current study aimed to determine the AFM۱ concentration in commercial pasteurized cow milk samples obtained from the Iranian market. Methods: A total of ۵۴ pasteurized cow milk samples, manufactured between January and April ۲۰۱۹, were purchased from different cities in Iran, including Tehran, Isfahan, Sari, Tabriz, Zanjan, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Shiraz, and Kerman. These samples were analyzed using a competitive enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay technique. The associated health risk was estimated by the Monte Carlo simulation method. Additionally, the margin of exposure and cancer risk were employed as benchmarks to assess threats to consumer health. Results: AFM۱ was detected in ۳۳ samples (۶۱ %), totally with concentrations ranging from ۰.۰۰۳ to ۰.۴۵ µg kg-۱. ۹.۲۶ % of the samples exceeded the maximum residue level specified by Iran's national standard (۰.۱ µg kg-۱). The average concentration of AFM۱ in the ۵۴ pasteurized milk samples collected from different regions was determined to be ۰.۰۴۲ ± ۰.۰۷۲ µg L-۱. Nevertheless, all samples remained below the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) maximum limit (۰.۵ µg kg-۱). Human health risk assessment showed that about half of the consumers were at risk based on the Margin of Exposure (MOE) assessment. Conclusion: The results of this survey indicate the usefulness of a monitoring program to supervise the safety of commercially available pasteurized cow milk for consumers.

Keywords:

Food safety , Pasteurized milk , Aflatoxin M۱ , Risk assessment , Mycotoxin , Contaminants