AFLATOXIN - IS IT A NEGLECTED THREAT FOR FORMULA-FED INFANTS

In the present study, the risk of exposure to aflatoxin in infants fed breast milk and formula was investigated. For this purpose, aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) was determined in the serum of both breast-fed and formu la-fed infants. Serum AFB(1) positivity was significantly higher in th e formula-feeding (F) group than the breast-feeding (B) group (42.8 vs 8.5%, P < 0.01). The AFB(1) concentration in different commercial for mulas was also determined. Aflatoxin B-1 was found in seven of the eig ht newly opened packages of different brands of formula. The concentra tions showed a statistically significant increase at the 30th day afte r opening the packages (P < 0.01). Although AFB(1) concentrations in t he formulas were found to be within acceptable limits for most countri es, still, its existence must be carefully evaluated because future in fluences of very small amounts of aflatoxin on the growing organism ha ve not been fully elucidated. Therefore, it was again concluded that f or infants, human milk is safer than commercial formulas because of th e lower contamination risk of aflatoxin. Also, commercial formulas mus t be regularly examined by authorities for the possible risk of aflato xin contamination.