Effect of washing and disinfecting containers on the microbiological quality of fresh milk sold in Bamako (Mali)

The present study aimed to improve the microbiological quality of the milk, from the cow's udder to the selling point by container washing and disinfecting. The total counts (TC), Enterobacteriaceae counts (EBC) were used as quality indicators. The results showed a significant decrease of milk flora at the selling point, from 1.6 × 107 ± 1.3 × 107 (control) to 4.8 × 105 ± 0,8 × 107 (intervention) colony forming units per ml (cfu ml-1) for TC and 1.2 × 106 ± 1.1 × 106 (control) to 0.9 × 104 ± 1.1 × 104 (intervention) cfu ml-1 for EBC. The study suggests that in milk production area, besides udder infection and water quality, hygiene behaviour with respect to hand washing, container's cleaning and disinfection are the key areas that remain of relevance to milk hygiene intervention. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.