DETERMINATION OF AFLATOXIN M1 LEVELS IN ICE CREAM SOLD IN KARS PROVINCE

In this study 50 unpackaged ice cream samples produced and retailed in Kars were tested for determining the presence of aflatoxin M1 . The test results conducted by ELISA showed that the concentration of Aflatoxin M1 in 27 samples (54%) were lower than 0.005 µg/kg. In 6 samples (12%) the toxin levels were 0.005-0.05 µg/kg. However 17 samples (34%) were detected having toxin compound higher than the maximum tolerance limit accepted by European Union/Turkish Food Codex (0.05 µg/kg) for milk and milk products. The findings indicated that widespread occurence of Aflatokxin M1 in ice cream samples could be considered as possible hazard for public health, therefore they must be strictly controlled during their processing and storage.