Analyses of selected heavy metals and Aflatoxin M1 in milk for human consumption in Jhang City, Pakistan

Chemical contaminants in milk affect public health and levels above permissible limits can constrain exports under sanitary and phyto-sanitary agreements. A screening survey was conducted during 2012-2013 to determine concentrations of Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), and Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in unprocessed, non-branded liquid milk available at conventional milk shops in Jhang city of Punjab. For the heavy metals men-tioned above, samples were also collected directly from dairy herds near a wastewater drain in suburbs of the city. Concentrations of the studied contaminants were compared between winter and summer samples.Non-PRIFPRI1; PSSPDSG