As of March 1, Iowa agriculture officials are no longer requiring that milk received in the state be screened or tested for aflatoxin. The drought conditions of 2012 increased the likelihood that aflatoxins, a group of chemicals produced by certain mold fungi, could contaminate corn crops.

Iowa milk testing began at the end of August. Since then, four loads of milk tested positive for aflatoxin. The last load tested positive in November.

The agency has been monitoring the prevalence of aflatoxin through a corn sampling program. PD

—Compiled from AP Newsfinder article and other sources