Monitoring aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in dairy products and milk‐based foods is very important. The main purpose
of this research was to investigate and determine the amount and human health risk assessment of aflatoxin M1
(AFM1) in the most famous and widely used brands of infant dried powder milk (IDPM) consumed in Iran. For
this study, 45 imported IDPM (IM‐IDPM) samples and 45 domestically produced IDPM (DO‐IDPM) samples (a
total of 90 samples) were selected randomly. All samples were analyzed for AFM1 using a competitive enzyme‐
linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The mean level and the percentage of positive samples for
AFM1 in DO‐IDPM were 9.2 ± 5.4 ng/kg and 73.3%, and for IM‐IDPM, they were 5.1 ± 3.8 ng/kg and
33.3%, respectively. The average level of AFM1 in all samples was lower than the EU and Iranian national stan-
dards (25 ng/kg). AFM1 intake through IDPM consumption by Iranian infants less than one‐year‐old was lower
than the allowable level, but the hazard quotient for infants less than 6 months was higher than the allowable
level. Although the concentration of AFM1 in IDPM consumed in Iran is not hazardous, since Iranian infants
may be exposed to AFM1 through other sources, including baby food, breast milk, raw and pasteurized milk,
continuous monitoring of IDMP quality in Iranian markets should be taken
کلید واژگان :
Aflatoxin M1, ELISA, Health risk, Infant, Iran, Powder milk
