Aflatoxin M1 contamination in white and Lighvan cheese marketed in Rafsanjan, Iran

This study was a screening survey to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in 82 cheese samples composed of white cheese (45 samples) and Lighvan cheese (37 samples) obtained from supermarkets and retail outlets in Rafsanjan city of Iran. The competitive enzyme immunoassay method was used for determination of the toxin in the samples. Aflatoxin M1 was detected in 39 (47.6%) samples, consisting of 29 (64.4%) white cheese (mean: 135 ng/kg; range: 93.3–309 ng/kg) and 10 (27%) Lighvan cheese samples (mean: 90.8 ng/kg; range: 70.5–203 ng/kg). According to Iranian national standard limit for AFM1 in cheese (200 ng/kg), 9 samples (20%) of white cheese and 1 sample (2.70%) of Lighvan cheese had levels above the limit. It was concluded that the contamination of the samples with AFM1 in such a level could be considered as a serious public health problem. •Presence of aflatoxin M1 in white and Lighvan cheese in Rafsanjan, Iran was studied.•Aflatoxin M1 was detected in 64% of white cheese and 27% of Lighvan cheese samples.•Seasonal changes influenced the content of aflatoxin M1 in white cheese samples.