Waters Corporation announced VICAM A Waters Business, introduced a new, lateral flow strip test for the rapid detection of aflatoxin M1 in raw milk at the processing facility or in the dairy laboratory.
Afla M1-V provides rapid food safety data for raw milk using a lateral flow strip test designed for use with the quantitative VICAM Vertu® lateral flow reader. Dairy farms, processors and laboratories are able to obtain precise numerical results for aflatoxin M1 in just 12 minutes, covering the critical range of 50-750 parts per trillion (ppt). Afla M1-Vemploys a fast, simple sample filtration which replaces lengthy extraction or centrifuge processing, reducing overall test time and costs compared with traditional methods. Users are able to comply with both internal quality guidelines and strict export regulatory limits worldwide. This new lateral flow technology strengthens VICAM's technology portfolio for aflatoxin M1 detection products which includes Afla M1 HPLC immunoaffinity columns for laboratory confirmation
Aflatoxin M1 is the highly toxic byproduct of the metabolism of aflatoxin B1 following consumption by the dairy cow. Aflatoxin B1 is introduced through feed rations which contain a contaminated grain or forage and is converted into aflatoxin M1 at a rate of 1-2%. Classified as a Group 2B Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and regulated at extremely low levels by the EU, aflatoxin M1 may not exceed 50 ppt in milk for adult human consumption, while the limit is even lower for infants and children (25 ppt). The US FDA sets the legal limit for aflatoxin M1 at 0.5 ppb for fluid milk products.
"Afla M1-V will help global dairy producers to ensure safe, nutritious milk products worldwide, and at the same time prevent costly product rejection by importing countries due to strict regulatory limits," commented Marjorie Radlo-Zandi, General Manager, Director of Operations at VICAM.
"This rapid, simple test kit is designed for dairy farms, processors and laboratories who require aflatoxin M1 data that is sensitive enough to comply with the EU regulation for adult consumption (50ppt) and the limit of 500 ppt set by the US, Brazil and China," added Dr. Stephen Powers, Director of R&D for VICAM.
Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemical byproducts of ubiquitous mold species which are natural inhabitants of crop soils. Severe rain or drought can encourage mycotoxin production and, once released, mycotoxins are difficult to manage and virtually impossible to destroy.
The USDA, FDA, EU, and other international government agencies impose specific regulations and guidelines for acceptable levels of mycotoxins. Producers and exporters use on-site and laboratory testing to ensure regulatory compliance and to protect human and animal health from illnesses associated with mycotoxins, including cancer and feed refusal in animals.
