Nigerian Food Journal Official Journal of Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology www.nifst.org NIFOJ Vol. 36 No. 1, pages 12 – 20, 2018 FULL LENGTH ARTICLE Levels of Heavy Metals in Local Milk and Cheese, and Phthalate Esters in Cheese by Seled Fulani Pastoralists in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria *Olujimi, O.O., 1 Abubakar, R., 2 Fabusoro, E., 2 Sodiya, C.I., 2 Ojo, O.E. 3 and Towolawi, A.T. 1 ABSTRACT The quality of milk and cheese produced by Settled Fulani Pastoralists (SPFs) are of food safety concern. This study analysed heavy metals in milk and cheese, and phthalate esters in cheese products in Ogun and Oyo States Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 55 equal products samples from 13 communities in the study areas. Milk and cheese samples were analysed for heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Pb) using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) after digestion with standard methods. Phthalate esters in cheese samples were extracted using sonication and analyzed using Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The phthalate esters analyzed for in cheese are benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP), di-cyclohexylphthalate (DCHP), Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) and Dimethyl phthalate (DMP). The concentration of Cu, Ni and Zn were higher in cheese samples than in milk samples while levels of Cd and Cr were higher in milk than cheese. The mean concentration of phthalate esters in cheese were BBP (1.49 ± 0.94; 3.55 ± 4.78), DCHP (0.27 ± 0.15; 0.69 ± 1.09), DEHP(1.16 ± 1.93; 0.75 ± 1.06), DEP (1.45 ± 2.28; 1.81 ± 0.66), DiBP (3.27 ± 2.12; 5.75± 2.68) and DMP (1.06 ± 0.56;2.48 ± 1.08) for Ogun and Oyo States respectively. The study confirmed that heavy metals and phthalate esters were presented at high concentrations in milk and cheese samples analyzed. Keywords: Food safety, milk, cheese, heavy metals, phthalate esters. 1.0 Introduction Food safety is beyond the avoidance of food-borne biological pathogens, chemical toxicants and other hazards (FAO-UN, 2002). In particular, heavy metal and phthalate esters as contaminants in food present important food safety issues. Increasing complexity and length of food chain have led to an increase in contamination by heavy metals or other chemicals (Holdren and Ehrlich, 1974). These contaminants could be as a result of the production methods or materials used. Eating habits of consumers have also contributed to emerging and reoccurring food safety problems (Wilcock et al., 2004; Sirieix et al., 2007; Marvin et al., 2009). Milk is one of the sources of animal protein and it is mostly consumed in Nigeria as local yoghurt, sour milk, boiled or fried cheese, and powdered, condensed and or evaporated milk (Ganguly et al., 1999). Although many Nigerians consume milk which is industrially processed in different forms, the consumption of locally produced milk by Settled Fulani Pastoralists (SFPs) is of economic significance. The SFPs are local dairy producers that migrate in search of an ideal condition for raising their herds and means of survival. The SFPs women especially take milk production, processing and marketing as a means of livelihood (Fabusoro and Oyegbami, 2009). However, several studies have proven that local production of milk 1 Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology 2 Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development 3 Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Alabata Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. * Corresponding author: olujimioo@funaab.edu.ng