Conformity of refrigerated raw milk from family production units of southern Espírito Santo

Abstract

Dairy farming is an important activity in Brazil and Espírito Santo state, with small properties accounting for 80% of production. Despite of this economic importance, data about quality of the milk produced and the hygienic-sanitary conditions are still scarce. Then, the objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of refrigerated raw milk produced in family production units in southern Espírito Santo to verify compliance with Brazilian legal standards. Three collections were carried out in 29 community expansion tanks, for a total of 87 samples of refrigerated raw milk. Analysis of standard plate count (SPC), psychrotrophic bacteria count (PBC), somatic cell count (SCC), titratable acidity, density, fat, total dry extract (TDE), non-fat dry extract (NFDE), residues of antibiotics (β-lactam and tetracycline), cadmium and lead levels were performed. Of the 87 samples, 66% presented non-standard values for SPC, and 38% had non-standard values for SCC. Eighty five percent of the samples presented non-standard results for NFDE, 10.3% for density and 2.3% for titratable acidity. All samples complied with the legislation regarding residues of antibiotics, Cd and Pb levels. These results indicated failures in the raw milk obtainment and storage chain from family production units of southern Espírito Santo, Brazil.