When you’re a dairy farmer, you do everything to ensure that you have all the pros and cons under control. However, there’s a hidden factor that could undermine all your hard work, it’s the one that you can’t even see.

What are Aflatoxins?

Well, what are these Aflatoxins? They are classified as various poisonous carcinogens and mutagens that are produced by certain molds, especially Aspergillus species such as Flavus, Parasiticus and the rare Nomius.

Aflatoxins are toxins produced by certain molds that can grow on crops, grains and nuts – all common used ingredients in animal feed. When the weather gets wet, warm and humid, then these molds thrive, creating more and more toxins.

Photo Credits: Creative Commons License.

We are only going to focus on Aflatoxin B1 as this is the major cause of Aflatoxin M1 in dairy livestock. Once your cows, goats or sheep eat feed contaminated with Aflatoxin B1, their bodies metabolise it and pass a toxin called Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) into their milk. You can’t pasteurise away this toxin as it is heat-stable and carries right through into the final product.

Why Should You Be Worried?

The big issue is that Aflatoxin M1 is a proven carcinogen (it’s known to cause cancer). Regulatory bodies around the world take it extremely seriously. In the European Union, the limits are very strict:

  • 50 ppt (parts per trillion) for standard milk.
  • An even tighter 25 ppt for infant formula.

To put it into scale, 1 ppt is like one drop of water in 20 total Olympic-sized swimming pools. That’s how sensitive the limits are.

Finding out your dairy is contaminated, or even after it’s been processed or shipped is a nightmare scenario. It can lead to massive financial losses, brand damage and most importantly, a risk to public health and legal implications.

How To Stop It:

The key is to catch it early. You need to test your raw milk quickly and reliably. This is where the AflaSensor Nova Test Kit (KIT041N) from Unisensor becomes your most valuable tool.

The AflaSensor Nova: Test Kit

This is a very user-friendly test that offers you results on-site and in minutes.

  • Quantitative Results in 10 Minutes: No need for sending samples away to a lab. The entire process takes just 10 minutes. If your sample is positive, you will get a precise numerical value (in ppt) telling you exactly how much AFM1 is present.
  • Balanced Sensitivity to ensure Compliance: The kit can accurately detect and measure AFM1 levels from 20 ppt all the way up to 150 ppt, covering the crucial EU regulatory range with confidence.
  • Versatile Use: Works on testing cow, goat or sheep’s milk.

Photo Credits: AflaSensor Nova Test Kit and the accompanying devices, the HeatSensor Duo and ReadSensor 2.

Peace of Mind from Farm to Table

By integrating the AflaSensor Nova into your regular testing routine, you shift from being reactive to proactive. You can:

  • Test incoming milk from your own herd or suppliers before investing in processing.
  • Check feed sources by monitoring milk after a change in feed batch.
  • Ensure every single batch you send out is safe and within legal limits.

It’s about more than just compliance; it’s about guaranteeing the quality and safety of your product. It’s about giving you peace of mind.

In today’s world, where consumers are more informed than ever, being able to prove the purity of your milk isn’t just a good practice, it’s a powerful promise.