Dairy cattle fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed may excrete aflatoxin metabolites in milk.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if the cattle are malnourished.
• D. Only in cheese production.

Answer: (A)

Aflatoxins can move from contaminated cattle feed into milk through metabolism in the animal. When cows ingest feed contaminated with aflatoxin B1, the liver converts some of that toxin into a metabolite called aflatoxin M1, which is then excreted into milk. This means milk can contain aflatoxin metabolites even if the exposure came from feed consumed earlier. AFM1 is relatively heat-stable, so pasteurization does not reliably remove it, which is why milk safety programs monitor and regulate AFM1 levels in milk and dairy products. So the statement is true: dairy cattle fed aflatoxin-contaminated feed may excrete aflatoxin metabolites in milk.