Excess Aflatoxin found in Georgian dairy products, authorities order recall

The National Food Agency of Georgia on Thursday announced the detection of excessive levels of aflatoxin M1 in dairy products from LLC Vim-Bill-Dan Georgia, also known as Soplis Nobati.

The discovery was made following state control inspections conducted on March 28, prompting authorities to order an immediate recall of affected products from the market.

Aflatoxin M1, a toxin produced when aflatoxin B1-contaminated food enters an animal’s system and is transformed into milk, poses serious health risks to consumers. The contamination was confirmed through laboratory research, revealing excessive levels of the toxin in five batches of ultra-pasteurized drinking milk:

Children’s Milk, 2.5% fat (Production date: 04.02.2025, Expiration: 03.08.2025)
Preferred Milk, 1.5% fat (Production date: 12.02.2025, Expiration: 11.08.2025)
Preferred Milk, 1.5% fat (Production date: 10.02.2025, Expiration: 09.08.2025)
Preferred Milk, 2.5% fat (Production date: 09.02.2025, Expiration: 08.08.2025)
Preferred Milk, 3.2% fat (Production date: 02.02.2025, Expiration: 01.08.2025)
In response to the findings, the National Food Agency has instructed LLC Vim-Bill-Dan

Georgia to remove the contaminated batches from sale and has urged consumers to avoid consuming the specified milk products.

While no critical violations were found at the company’s facility during the inspection, the agency reported a failure to comply with food information regulations. As a result, the company was fined under the Food/Animal Feed Safety, Veterinary, and Plant Protection Code.

Additionally, the agency has ordered the company to test five samples of milk imported from Azerbaijan, including one intended for baby food, for potential aflatoxin M1 contamination. Incorrectly labeled food products have also been recalled from the market. The samples collected under official supervision have been sent to an accredited laboratory for further analysis.