Aflatoxins now found in cow's milk.

Byline: Jacqueline Agathocleous

DANGEROUSLY high levels of the cancerous bacteria aflatoxin have now been found in cow's milk, though the authorities yesterday rushed to deny any quantities had entered the food chain.

The appropriate state services are awaiting lab results to spot the reason behind the problem, which arose last week when the bacteria was found in quantities of goat's milk.

However, the Agriculture Ministry had rushed to reassure the public that none of these quantities had been sold to the public and the problem involved just the less-popular goat's milk.

But Agriculture Minister Michalis Polynikis was yesterday forced to admit that aflatoxin had been found in milk from two cattle farms in Kiti - one of which is the main dairy producer and supplier in Cyprus -- after it was revealed by Phileleftheros newspaper.

Citing sources, the paper reported that the minister had known since Wednesday that unacceptably high levels of aflatoxin had also been found in cows' milk -- until now, the ministry has only admitted to finding the bacteria in goat's milk. It also claimed from the start that none of the affected milk had entered the food chain.

However, Phileleftheros yesterday claimed that there was a great possibility the milk had indeed been consumed by the public.

Polynikis rejected the reports, saying his ministry had announced on Wednesday that aflatoxin had been found on four farms; he just hadn't said that two of them were cattle farms as there wasn't enough evidence yet.

He explained that the only reason it wasn't announced that two of them were cattle farms was because the ministry was still awaiting the official lab results

"I would like to express my sadness over the way the reports are being presented and especially for claims that there was an attempt to hide information," said Polynikis. "Under no circumstance were such efforts made, nor was there such an intention."

On the contrary, he added, the ministry rushed to announce the existence of the problem. "On the 26th of the month, I personally announced that we had found four problematic farms, two of which produced cow's milk," said the minister. "The first tests aren't announced immediately until it is scientifically proven that there is in fact a problem. We have to make a general announcement until we have evidence."

He added, "I hope we soon have more information and evidence on the reasons behind this problem. Until now, our investigations haven't shown anything specific."

the head of the Pancyprian Cattle Farmers Organisation, Savvas Evangelou, yesterday confirmed aflatoxin had been found in cow's milk but rushed to reassure the public that none of it had entered the food chain.

He added that the infected quantities had been confiscated by the state.

"Don't worry; there's absolutely nothing to worry about," said Evangelou. "Under no circumstance will milk with aflatoxin enter the market."

Copyright Cyprus Mail 2009

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