Abstract

Milk is an important source of energy and nutrients, especially for children, and in Kenya, milk consumption is higher than other countries in the region. One major concern with milk is the risks of chemical contaminants, and reports of high levels of aflatoxin M-1 (AFM(1)) in milk in Kenya has been causing public health concerns. This study collected marketed milk products every month during 1 year, just as a consumer would purchase them from retailers and traders in a low-income area, and a major supermarket in a middle/high-income area. In total, 291 sampled milk products (raw, pasteurised, UHT milk, yoghurt and lala) were collected and analysed for AFM(1) using a commercial ELISA kit. More than 50% of the samples exceeded 50 ng/kg (the level allowed in the EU), but only three samples exceeded 500 ng/kg (the level allowed in the USA). Geometric mean AFM(1) level was 61.9 ng/kg in the 135 samples from the low-income area while it was 36.1 ng/kg in the 156 from the higher income area (p < 0.001). The levels varied significantly depending on the time of year, with lowest levels of milk in January. There were also differences between manufacturers and products, with UHT milk having lower levels. There was no difference depending on the price for all dairy products, but when only including milk, higher price was associated with lower levels of AFM(1). In conclusion, this study shows that milk purchased by a consumer is likely to contain AFM(1) above 50 ng/kg, and that further research is needed to find ways to mitigate AFM(1) contamination through working with farmers and milk processors both in the formal and informal sectors.

Keywords

Mycotoxins; Food safety; East Africa; Dairy; Chemical hazard

Published in

Mycotoxin Research
2018, Volume: 34, number: 4, pages: 289-295
Publisher: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

SLU Authors

• Lindahl, Johanna

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
  • Uppsala University

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
SDG10 Reduce inequality within and among countries


UKÄ Subject classification

Microbiology
Food Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-018-0323-4

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/96994