Quality of raw milk informally sold in the city of Piraí do Sul, Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract

The consumption of raw milk is a public health concern, because the product can carry several foodborne diseases, if obtained and manipulated under inappropriate conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiologic quality, composition, and possibility of fraud of raw milk informally sold in the city of Piraí do Sul, state of Paraná, Brazil. Twenty-three samples of raw milk were evaluated, regarding to somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), titratable acidity, density, chemical composition, presence of adulterant compounds and trading temperature of product at sampling. The results were compared with current Brazilian legislation. All evaluated samples showed irregularities in at least one of the items analyzed. The results suggest lacks of hygiene during the obtainment and manipulation, problems in the animal nutrition, and inadequate refrigeration, which demonstrate the hazards that informal raw milk represents to the consumer health