Background Mycotoxins are toxic secondary fungal metabolites that can be transferred into milk of lactating animals that consumed mycotoxin‐contaminated feed, posing health concern for consumers. Brazil has climatic conditions that favour the growth of toxigenic fungi. Aim This review aimed to critically examine the occurrence of mycotoxins, particularly aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ) in Brazilian milk and dairy products in the last 20 years. Toxicological aspects of mycotoxins, regulations, preventive and potential decontamination strategies are also discussed. Methods A comprehensive review of peer‐reviewed journal articles published in English or Portuguese from 2005 to 2025 was conducted. Sources were selected based on relevance to mycotoxin occurrence in Brazilian fluid milk and dairy products. Major Findings The reviewed studies analysed 3939 samples of milk and dairy products, of which 2240 (56.8%) were found to contain at least one type of mycotoxin. AFM 1 was the most frequently detected, followed by ochratoxin A, fumonisins and deoxynivalenol. Most studies reported AFM 1 levels in milk within the Brazilian maximum limit (ML) of 0.5 μg/kg, while 11.3% of samples would exceed the European ML (0.05 μg/kg). Scientific or Industrial Implications The occurrence levels of mycotoxins reported in Brazilian milk and dairy products represent a health threat, particularly to vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. Continuous control and routine surveillance are essential to minimise the dietary exposure of Brazilian dairy herds to mycotoxins.
Ullah et al. (Wed,) studied this question.