Exposure Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 Through Ingestion of Infant Formula in Türkiye

The objectives of the study were to determine the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) content in ınfant formula samples in Türkiye and to assess the risk of infants’ exposure to aflatoxins food contamination. A total number of 72 samples of infant formulas (premature, hipoallergenic, 0-6, 6-9,9-12 and 12-36 months) were analyzed for the presence of AFM1 using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. 49% of the samples (35 samples) were contaminated with AFM1 and the group most highly contaminated with AFM1 was infant formulas 12-36 (8 samples) months. In addition, this study aimed at evaluating AFM1 levels especially above international (European Commission) (0.025 µg/kg) and local (Türkiye Food Codex Regulation) (0.025 µg/kg) standards and cancer risks associated with the ingestion of infant formula sampled from Türkiye. Five samples of infant formula had AFM1 concentration above maximum allowable concentration according to the standards. Risk assessments of AFM1 for infants ranged between 0.002- 0.035 ng/kg bw/day and >100.000–5263.15 respectively for Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), and Margin of Exposure (MOE). The riskiest group was determined in the 9-12 months samples. Results of our study indicate the high risk of infants’ exposure, who are at the early stage of development and vulnerable to toxic contaminants.