Aflatoxin M₁ is the hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B₁ and it can be found in milk and dairy products. Aflatoxin M₁ have teratogenic and carcinogenic effects on human. With increasing concerns about food safety issues, aflatoxin M₁ contamination in the dietary calls for more and more attention. This study analyzes the contamination of aflatoxin M₁ in milk and dairy products based on categories, seasonal and regional differences, summarizes the present research progress on rapid detection technique in liquid chromatography and immunoassay.