Ludhiana, Punjab – A recent study by Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) has raised serious public health concerns after discovering dangerous levels of aflatoxins in milk linked to poor feed storage practices in Punjab’s unorganised dairy sector. The findings highlight the need for greater awareness, feed management reforms, and consumer caution in sourcing milk.
The research was presented by Tejbeer Singh, a PhD scholar in Animal Nutrition, during a recent One Health symposium held at the university. His study revealed that feed contaminated with fungal toxins—particularly Aflatoxin B1—was significantly more prevalent on small farms and during the monsoon and winter seasons.
Once consumed by cattle, Aflatoxin B1 is metabolised by the liver into Aflatoxin M1, which is then excreted into the milk. Alarmingly, this compound is heat-stable, meaning it survives pasteurisation and boiling. Aflatoxin M1 is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and even trace amounts have been associated with liver damage, immune suppression, stunted growth in children, and an increased risk of cancer.
📊 Study Overview: High Levels of Feed Contamination Detected
The study, titled “Impact of Farm Size and Seasonal Variation on Aflatoxin Contamination and Nutritional Value of Maize and Wheat in Punjab,” analysed 42 feed samples (21 maize and 21 wheat) collected from small, medium, and large farms across four districts in Punjab, covering a span from January to September.
Key Findings:
- Over 80% of maize samples and 38% of wheat samples tested positive for Aflatoxin B1.
- Contamination levels peaked during the rainy and winter seasons.
- Small-scale farms had the highest concentration of Aflatoxin B1.
- Maize exhibited consistently higher contamination than wheat.
- Seasonal changes influenced both toxin levels and nutritional content, with peak nutrient quality observed in summer months.
These results demonstrate a strong correlation between farm size, feed storage practices, and seasonal climate conditions, all of which directly affect milk safety in the supply chain.
🧪 Aflatoxins: A Silent Threat in the Dairy Chain
Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by moulds such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, commonly found on improperly stored grains and oilseeds. When livestock consume such contaminated feed, their liver partially converts Aflatoxin B1 into Aflatoxin M1, which is passed into milk.
Because Aflatoxin M1 is not destroyed by common milk processing methods, it poses a long-term risk to consumers, particularly infants and young children who consume milk regularly.
“Since a small part of Aflatoxin B1 in the cattle converts to Aflatoxin M1 in milk, it is recommended that milk be sourced from organised farms with better awareness and feed management practices,” said Tejbeer Singh during his presentation.
✅ Moving Towards a Solution: Aflatoxin Binders Under Development
To address the challenge, the GADVASU research team—mentored by Dr Jasbir Singh Bedi, Director of the Centre for One Health—is working on developing aflatoxin binders. These are compounds added to animal feed that bind to Aflatoxin B1 in the gut, preventing its absorption and facilitating its removal from the animal’s system through excretion.
This promising solution could provide a cost-effective intervention, especially for small and medium-scale dairy farmers who lack access to climate-controlled feed storage or advanced feed safety protocols.
🧭 Consumer Takeaways and Industry Implications
This study underscores the urgent need to:
- Educate farmers—especially in the unorganised sector—about proper feed storage and aflatoxin risks.
- Encourage adoption of quality feed management systems across all farm sizes.
- Develop and deploy aflatoxin binders and monitoring protocols at scale.
- Promote transparency and traceability in milk sourcing for consumers.
Until systemic changes are in place, consumers are strongly advised to purchase milk from organised dairy sectors or reputable suppliers that ensure feed and milk quality standards.
🧭 Conclusion
The GADVASU study shines a spotlight on a largely overlooked food safety issue that directly impacts public health. With aflatoxin contamination now linked to commonly consumed milk in India, the findings are expected to drive regulatory focus, innovation in feed management, and consumer awareness campaigns.
As India continues to strengthen its dairy value chain, ensuring nutritional security and food safety must remain a top priority—especially in a country where milk remains a staple in nearly every household.
