A review of the current situation of aflatoxin M in cow's milk in Serbia: risk assessment and regulatory aspects.

The aim of this systematic review is to provide information regarding the incidence and levels of aflatoxin M (AFM) in raw and heat processed cow's milk in Serbia during 2015-16 and to compare these with collected data on the occurrence of AFM in raw milk and dairy products during the last decade in our region. Estimation of dietary exposure (EDI) and hazard index (HI) calculations for different age groups of the population were also carried out, based on the AFM content of milk samples and on available food consumption data in Serbia. AFM was detected in 69.9% (984/1408) of raw milk samples in 2015 versus 84.9% (3094/3646) in 2016, while in heat-processed milk, AFM was detected in 77.8% (364/468) in 2015 versus 98.5% (753/765) in 2016. On the basis of the obtained results, 450 (9%) of raw and 14 (1.1%) of heat-processed milk samples were contaminated with AFM levels above the maximum permitted level in Serbia (0.25 μg kg). However, a large percentage of raw and heat processed milk in Serbia (30.1% and 17.3%, respectively) was contaminated with AFM levels above the maximum permitted level regulated in the European Union (0.05 μg kg). Therefore, in order to protect consumer health, it is extremely important to further control the level of aflatoxins in milk, and this should be considered as a high priority for risk management actions.