The concentration of aflatoxin M1 in raw and pasteurized milk: A worldwide systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Despite numerous studies regarding the prevalence of AFM1 in Milk, no systematic review and meta-analysis study on a global scale was conducted. Scope and approach In our study, the concentration and prevalence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in different types of milk (cow, buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, donkey, and ewe) from 199 articles (320 data reports and samples of 51252) were meta-analysis using the random effect model (REM) based on countries, type of livestock and type of process milk (raw and pasteurized) subgroups. Key findings and conclusions The overall pooled AFM1 concentration in raw and pasteurized milk was (57.36 ng/l; 95%CI (55.65–59.64 ng/l)) and (85.39 ng/l; 95%CI (82.44–88.35 ng/l)), respectively. The lowest and highest concentration of AFM1 in raw milk was in Libya (1.58 ng/l; 95%CI (1.51–1.65 ng/l)) and Tunisia (14000.00 ng/l; 95%CI (13000.00–14005.00 ng/l)), respectively. The lowest and highest concentration of AFM1 in raw milk was in cow milk (79.65 ng/l; 95%CI (77.65–8.32 ng/l)) and Buffalo milk (2.35 ng/l; 95%CI (2.20–2.50 ng/l)), respectively. The lowest and highest concentration of AFM1 in Pasteurized milk was in Taiwan (3.00 ng/l; 95%CI (2.94–3.06 ng/l)) and Mexico (2801.48 ng/l; 95%CI (503.62–5099.35 ng/l)), respectively. The lowest and highest concentration of AFM1 in pasteurized milk was in the goat (7.67 ng/l; 95%CI (4.74–10.60 ng/l)) and cow (87.20 ng/l; 95%CI (90.19–97.54 ng/l)), respectively. Given that milk and dairy product consumption is a common dietary habit associated with health benefits, the incidence of AFM1 in milk and dairy products should be strictly monitored and controlled continuously. The amount of AFM1 in feedstuffs is an important factor in devising mechanisms to reduce AFM1 in milk and dairy products.