BACTERIOLOGICAL TESTING OF MILK FOR REGULATORY PURPOSE–USEFULNESS OF CURRENT PROCEDURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGE

Abstract

Proper pasteurization and elimination of contamination subsequent to heat treatment suffice to ensure the consumer a milk supply that is free from pathogens and which has good shelf life. Bacterial plate count standards have remained practically unchanged during the past few decades in which many advances in processing and sanitary control have evolved. Standard Plate Counts and Coliform Counts on pasteurized milk are not reliable indices of either the safety or shelf life of the product. Current standards for these counts should be lowered in order to be commensurate with the counts obtained in well operated plants. However, low Standard Plate Counts and negative Coliform Counts are no assurance that post-pasteurization contamination has not occurred. The CVT Count and the 5-day–45 F Count are useful for detecting post-pasteurization contamination, with the latter count very useful for predicting shelf life. Satisfactory sanitary control of milk processing can be attained by application of these tests on a daily basis in a well equipped and staffed plant laboratory.