[On the presence and the content of aflatoxin M1 in milk shipped to a dairy plant (author's transl)].

Between March 4 and April 15, 1976, the aflatoxin M1 content of milk shipped to a dairy plant was investigated. Out of 419 samples, 79 (19%) were positive. 33% of these samples showed values of 0.05--0.1 microng/1, 38% of more than 0.1 microng/1 and the highest value was at 0.54 microng/1. Other aflatoxins were not found. From samples of milk producers showing positive reactions, feed samples (n = 105) were taken, 45 of which (43%) were also positive. 40% of the positive samples contained up to 20 microng/kg, 36% were in the range between 20--50 microng/kg and the highest values were at 280 resp. 300 microng/kg, especially in mixed feed. Out of these samples, 47% (DLG Standard IV) resp. 36% (DLG Standard III) were higher than the tolerated maximum level of 20 microng/kg. There is a qualitative relationship between the aflatoxin M1 content in milk and the aflatoxin B1 content in feed. In 61 cases where milk samples were positive, in 41 feed samples (67%) aflatoxin B1 was detected.