Human health risk assessment of aflatoxin M1 in various dairy products in Iran: A literature review

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in dairy products is a growing concern. In Iran, where dairy consumption is integral to daily life, understanding the extent of AFM1 exposure is crucial. This study presents a comprehensive human health risk assessment (HHRA) of AFM1 in six popular dairy products: yogurt, kashk, ice cream, doogh, butter, and tarkhineh through a systematic review. This study used Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the dietary exposure to AFM1 across different age groups. Other HHRA parameters, including liver cancer risk (LCR), hazard index (HI), and margin of exposure (MoE), were also used to explore safety concerns arising from AFM1 contamination. In addition, statistics, uncertainty, and sensitivity analysis for AFM1 in dairy products across various ages were performed. Our findings reveal varying levels of AFM1 contamination, with 67.54% of the products being contaminated with AFM1, of which 12.49% exceeded the regulatory limits set by the European Commission (EC) and Institute of Standards & Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) regulations. The results highlight the importance of strict monitoring and control measures to minimize AFM1 contamination and mitigate the associated health risks. This research is a valuable resource for food safety authorities and the dairy industry to enhance the safety and quality of dairy products in Iran.