Background: Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁) is a major carcinogenic compound that may be existed in milk and dairy products. This study was aimed to determine the presence of AFM₁ in industrial and traditional yogurt samples produced in Iran.
Methods: A total of 80 yogurt samples (40 industrial, 40 traditional) was collected from supermarkets in Yazd city, Iran. AFM₁ content of the selected samples was determined by enzyme linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: Analysis of the data indicated that 96.25% of the yogurt samples were contaminated with AFM1 in concentration levels ranging from ˂5 to 91 ng/kg. The AFM₁ content of 5% of the samples was higher than the limit accepted by European ::::::union:::::: (50 ng/kg). The mean concentration of AFM₁ in traditional yogurt (33.6 ng/kg) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than industrial ones (24.55 ng/kg).
Conclusion: High level of AFM₁ contamination of yogurt produced in Iran could be a serious risk for the public health.