We found no significant differences between the raw and pasteurized milk samples in terms of AFM1 concentration and this finding is supported by previous reports indicating that the pasteurization processes do not affect the AFM1 level in milk (19). One of the remarkable findings of the current study is that we detected the lowest range of the AFM1 concentrations in yoghurt samples, corresponding to those raw milk samples, which the AFM1 level at autumn and winter seasons exceeded from standard level. There could be several explanations for this finding including: the presence of various lactic acid bacteria in yoghurt samples which are able to destroy the AFM1 (20). Up to 34% reduction of AFM1 concentration in yoghurt samples compared to original raw milk samples has been previously reported. Moreover, it has been also demonstrated that the different strains of lactic acid bacteria do have various capability in the degrading of AFM1, where Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. rhamnosus were able to reduce AFM1 level by 18.5 and 49.6 %, respectively. Another reason for the AFM1 reduction in yoghurt samples may be related to affinity of the present bacteria in binding to AFM1 molecules, which by reduction of pH level would be able to degrade the bound molecules (21). Previous studies which have been performed in four Iranian large cities of Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz and Yazd during winter and summer 2009 indicated that the AFM1 concentration in yoghurt samples was significantly lower than in pasteurized milk samples (22). We also found that the AFM1 concentration in cream and cheese samples were slightly higher than that in the corresponding milk samples. The high fat content of cream and lipophilic property of AFM1 and high affinity of AFM1 molecules to casein may explain the higher concentration of AFM1 in cream and cheese samples, respectively (23).