Aflatoxins are carcinogenic and toxic which is a secondary metabolic product of some Aspergillus spp. When animals consume contaminated feed stuff to aflatoxins, the toxin is metabolized in the liver and execrated as aflatoxin M1via milk. During the autumn of 2011, 60 samples of local yogurt were selected randomly from Gilan (Northern Iran). ELISA technique was used to determine the presence and the level of AFM1. In 59 of the 60 yogurt samples examined (98.33%), the presence of AFM1 was detected in concentrations between 6.2 - 87ng/l. The mean level of AFM1 of positive samples was 51.66 ng/l. AFM1 in 38 samples (63.33%) were higher than the maximum tolerance limit (50 ng/l) accepted by the European countries. Aflatoxin high concentration in milk and milk products cause widespread negative impact on public health. Therefore, it is necessary to establish strategies for reducing aflatoxin levels in animal feed and milk products.
